Traffic accidents involving teenagers and young boys in Kashmir have become a grim reality, leaving families shattered and society alarmed. The recent tragedy at Tengpora Bridge, Srinagar Kashmir where teenagers shocked all of us while driving an expensive Thar met with a fatal accident, is a stark reminder of this growing crisis. It calls for a collective introspection and action to prevent such incidents. The role of parents, the traffic department, school teachers, and religious leaders cannot be overlooked in shaping responsible behaviour among the youth. This essay delves into the underlying causes, examines the roles of various stakeholders, and suggests measures to curb this menace.
Understanding the Problem-Rising Incidence of Traffic Accidents.
Kashmir has witnessed an alarming increase in road accidents involving young drivers. Reckless driving, overspeeding, and lack of adherence to traffic rules are often the primary causes. A significant number of these drivers are teenagers, many of whom lack proper driving licenses or training. The use of high-powered vehicles, such as SUVs and sports bikes, exacerbates the risks.
Recent Incident at Tengpora Bridge:
The Tengpora Bridge accident is one of many incidents highlighting the vulnerability of teenagers to traffic mishaps. Reports suggest that the driver, barely out of adolescence, lost control of the vehicle while overspeeding, leading to the tragic loss of lives. Such incidents reflect a broader societal failure in imparting discipline, awareness, and responsibility.
Analyzing the Contributing Factors:
1. Parental Responsibility:Parents play a pivotal role in molding their children’s behavior, yet many fail to recognize the risks associated with granting teenagers unchecked freedom.
Providing Expensive Vehicles: Parents often succumb to societal pressure or their children’s demands, gifting and or /giving them high-performance vehicles without considering their maturity or driving skills.
Neglecting Supervision: Many parents fail to monitor their children’s driving habits or ensure they undergo proper training before getting behind the wheel. Parenting plays a critical role in shaping children’s attitudes toward responsibility and safety, especially regarding driving. In many cases, the foundation for a child’s future behavior on the road is laid within the family through early guidance, discipline, and awareness of consequences. When parents allow their children access to cars or motorbikes without adequate training or a strong sense of accountability, they may unknowingly contribute to a culture of reckless driving. Furthermore, children who lack strict supervision or clear boundaries may be more inclined to see driving as a means of showing off or seeking thrill, often neglecting basic traffic rules or safety standards.
The trend of young people performing acrobatics or driving at high speeds on busy roads is especially dangerous. Parents need to emphasize the severe consequences of such behavior – not only for the drivers themselves but for pedestrians and other road users. Educating children about the real-life impact of accidents, including potential injuries, loss of life, and legal repercussions, can help instill a sense of responsibility. Additionally, parents who model safe driving behaviors themselves reinforce these standards, as children are likely to adopt the habits they observe at home.
Encouraging young drivers to respect speed limits, wear protective gear like helmets, and understand the responsibility that comes with driving are essential parental duties. By fostering a sense of maturity and accountability, parents can help prevent unnecessary risks on the road. Ultimately, responsible parenting in this regard can reduce accidents, save lives, and promote a culture of safe and respectful driving among young people.
Lack of Education: Conversations about road safety, traffic rules, and the consequences of reckless driving are seldom prioritized within families.
2. Inadequate Traffic Regulation:The traffic management system in Kashmir struggles to enforce regulations effectively. Parking a truck in the middle of a highway is unacceptable and creates a major safety hazard for other drivers. Speed checking, either manually or with devices, should be enforced consistently to ensure road safety. Traffic regulators must be vigilant and present on highways to manage such violations and ensure smooth traffic flow.
Weak Licensing Mechanism: Underage drivers frequently obtain licenses through loopholes or drive without one altogether.
Lack of Policing: Overspeeding and violations are often overlooked due to insufficient manpower or lax enforcement.
Poor Infrastructure: Narrow roads, lack of pedestrian crossings, and insufficient signage increase the likelihood of accidents.
3. School Teachers and Educators
Schools are a vital platform for instilling road safety awareness, but the topic remains inadequately addressed in most institutions.
Absence of Road Safety Curriculum: Schools rarely integrate traffic rules and safe driving practices into their curriculum.
Limited Engagement: Teachers, often preoccupied with academic syllabi, miss opportunities to influence students positively about their responsibilities as road users.
4. Role of Religious Leaders and Pulpits
Religious leaders command immense respect and influence in Kashmiri society, yet their role in addressing social issues like road safety remains underutilized.
Khutbas with Broader Social Messages: Friday sermons seldom highlight the importance of obeying traffic laws, respecting human life, and avoiding reckless behavior.
Promoting Accountability: Religion teaches responsibility and respect for life, principles that can be effectively reinforced during sermons.
5. Peer Pressure and Social Media Influence
Teenagers are often influenced by peer groups or social media trends, glamorizing risky driving behaviors.
Seeking Validation: Posting videos of stunts or overspeeding on social media platforms creates a culture of reckless competition.
Imitation: Teens imitate what they see on television or social media, often disregarding the risks involved.
Where Does the Buck Stop?
To curb this alarming trend, all stakeholders must share the responsibility of educating, regulating, and guiding the youth.
1. Parental Role:Parents must take proactive steps to prevent their children from falling into harmful behaviors.
Restricting Access to Vehicles: High-performance vehicles should not be in the hands of teenagers. Parents must assess their child’s maturity before allowing them to drive.
Fostering Communication: Regular conversations about the risks of reckless driving can instill a sense of responsibility.
Monitoring Activities: Parents should be vigilant about their children’s activities, especially their driving habits and peer influences.
2. Traffic Department: The traffic management system needs a robust overhaul to ensure safer roads.
Stricter Licensing Policies: Ensure that only eligible drivers, especially those who are trained and of legal age, receive licenses.
Enhanced Policing: Deploy more traffic personnel to monitor violations and penalize offenders rigorously.
Awareness Campaigns: Conduct public outreach programs to educate citizens about road safety and traffic rules.
3. Schools and Educators
Educational institutions must actively contribute to creating a culture of road safety.
Incorporating Road Safety in Curriculum: Lessons on traffic laws, the dangers of reckless driving, and first-aid measures should be part of school education.
Interactive Sessions: Organize workshops, seminars, and practical demonstrations with the help of traffic officials to educate students.
Role-Modeling by Teachers: Teachers should exemplify responsible behavior and actively encourage students to follow suit.
4. Religious Leaders and Khutbas
The pulpit can serve as a powerful medium to address societal issues like reckless driving.
Highlighting the Sanctity of Life: Sermons should emphasize that endangering oneself or others is against the teachings of Islam.
Discouraging Extravagance: Religious leaders can advise against gifting teenagers’ expensive vehicles as a symbol of status.
Encouraging Accountability: Preach the importance of self-discipline, patience, and respect for the law.
5. Society and Media
The broader societal attitude and media influence need to be addressed.
Promoting Positive Role Models: Highlight stories of responsible young drivers rather than glamorizing dangerous stunts.
Social Media Regulation: Platforms must take accountability for curbing the spread of videos glorifying reckless driving.
Recommendations:
Community-Level Interventions: Form neighbourhood committees to monitor and report unsafe driving practices.
Collaborative Efforts: Parents, schools, religious leaders, and authorities should coordinate awareness drives, targeting both children and adults.
Infrastructure Improvements: Construct wider roads, pedestrian crossings, and install speed-monitoring systems to reduce accidents.
Mental Health Support: Provide counselling for teenagers struggling with peer pressure or emotional distress, which may manifest as reckless behaviour.
Helpline Services: Set up 24/7 helplines for reporting traffic violations and unsafe driving.
The frequent loss of young lives in traffic accidents is a deeply distressing issue that requires collective action from all quarters of society. Parents must assume greater responsibility in guiding their children, the traffic department must enforce stricter regulations, schools should integrate road safety into their curriculum, and religious leaders must use their influence to promote accountability and respect for life. The recent Tengpora Bridge tragedy should serve as a wake-up call, urging us all to ask: Where does the buck stop? It stops with every individual, family, and institution that has a role in shaping a safer future for our youth. By working together, we can prevent such tragedies and ensure that every young life is given the opportunity to thrive.
-Author besides being a Medical doctor at Mubarak hospital Srinagar,is very active in positive perception management of various moral, social and religious issues. He can be reached at drfiazfazili@gmail.com & twitter)
