For many decades, the Panaji Civil & Criminal Courts were functioning in the premises next to Panjim Residency (Tourist Hostel) along that very busy road. For the convenience of the advocates, staff and litigants, the authorities finally notified a zebra crossing to enable people to cross with a right of way. Despite the law requiring motorists to stop at a zebra crossing once a pedestrian has set foot on to the crossing, it was anguishing to helplessly watch that vehicles including two wheelers continued to zoom along while that ornamental zebra crossing notification was just on paper. Sadly to date the same state of affairs continues at every zebra crossing in Goa with the pedestrians having to wait for the vehicles to first cross. Notably in Europe at every zebra crossing the vehicles unfailingly and rigorously stop to give pedestrians their right of way. People here act responsibly and as a matter of duty comply in abiding with the rules. Not out of fear of the law.
