In India, 23483 people were killed in accidents. 17.83 per cent share is pedestrian fatalities. In Jammu and Kashmir, many pedestrians are also killed or injured. Road traffic is often chaotic in Jammu and Kashmir. Several places, more so in cities, have acquired unsustainable levels of vehicle population and face the consequences in the form of traffic gridlocks.
Footpaths are more often the not non-existent, at places not constructed properly and maintained or callously encroached upon. Action from authorities is lacking. Pavements are regularly taken up for parking and while footpaths remain encroached upon.
As per the government, no study on why pedestrian deaths happen has been conducted. Generally, the government says, such deaths occur due to pedestrians not following norms laid down for walking along roads or trying to cross roads during traffic. Accidents also occur due to over-speeding vehicles.
There is a need to educate people. The Ministry says it implements a scheme for undertaking publicity measures and awareness campaigns on road safety to create awareness among road users through the electronic media, print media, NGOs etc. More steps need to be taken for awareness so that people are acquainted with the dangers. This ought to be a regular measure than its observance of Road Safety Month or Week every year for spreading awareness and strengthening road safety.
The provisions of pedestrian facilities have been specified in the IRC: 103 “Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities”. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a circular on 17 June 2015 wherein guidelines for pedestrian facilities on national highways for persons have been stipulated. There is provision of Median railing of adequate height to discourage the pedestrian to cross the road at the vulnerable locations in the urban areas. The ministry has also issued detailed guidelines (IRC 99-2018) for traffic calming measures, in which various traffic measures such as rumble strip, Speed Bumps, Speed Table or Raised Pedestrian Crossing, Road Narrowing, Central Islands etc are provided either on National Highways or adjoining road meeting with a National Highways.
The government needs to bring local residents, vendors and businessmen onboard to ensure good pedestrian walkways that are accessible to all including aged and disabled persons.
There is also a need for strong policing which reduces the risk for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and two-wheeler riders. The riders must be compelled to wear helmets. People indulging in over-speeding should be discouraged and concerned official agencies must take lead even as society has a role to play.
