Sit and observe one main road for about 10 minutes and you’ll find a few people overtaking from the left, turning without having their signals on for about 50 metres before the turn, and many other illegal manoeuvers. Any ‘civilised’ country in the world, from America to England, practically the whole of Europe and even large parts of Asia, will have strict fines and more for these transgressions. But in India it’s part of life.
A recent announcement by the Goa Police, to fine people who do not stop for pedestrians on zebra crossings, was met with a mixture of astonishment and applause online. While cried foul, there were many who said such a decision was a long time coming. However, if people are going to be fined for not stopping at crossings, should pedestrians also be made to only use zebra crossings on roads? There are many drivers who lament the constant deluge of people crossing roads at will. Since these two facets of road etiquette go hand in hand, it would make sense that they be enforced together as well.
Of course, there’s the matter of the government having to now paint more zebra crossings at regular intervals on roads.
If you’re going to lay down the law, you also have to provide people with infrastructure.In the first four days, over 1,100 people have been fined across major junctions in Panaji, Vasco, Mapusa, Margao and Ponda. So the next time you’re driving in town, keep your eyes peeled for zebra crossings.
