DNA Edit: Right of Way - Dedicated lanes for walkers is a must

The government data on the plight of pedestrians on Indian roads underscores the fact that when it comes to the right of passage, those on foot get a raw deal.

Tamil Nadu is the deadliest state followed by Maharashtra, where pedestrians are at grave risk. Cyclists and bikers too fall in the vulnerable category because Indian roads are ruled by private and commercial vehicles. Unlike in the West, where vehicular traffic is mindful of the movement of pedestrians, giving the latter high priority, in our country, the size of the vehicle determines the degree of respect accorded to the driver.

Another alarming feature of Indian roads is the shrinking of footpaths, which are illegally occupied by hawkers. With the sidewalks getting out of bounds, people are forced to walk on roads with heavy vehicular traffic that leave no dedicated lanes for walkers.

With 56 pedestrians dying everyday, it appears that our roads came into being only to facilitate the movement of vehicles. The crux of the issue is that in a densely populated country like India, human lives do not matter. Drivers do not believe in giving space because everyone seems to be in a tearing hurry.

Our city planners need to design public spaces keeping future needs in mind. With the number of private vehicles growing by leaps and bounds, in the coming years, the situation will only get worse — not just arterial roads and busy thoroughfares, but even neighbourhood lanes will become unsafe for pedestrians.

To bring down the death toll, the government needs to promote a culture of respect on the roads. It should also create dedicated spaces for pedestrians and ensure that these are not encroached upon. Traffic rules should be formulated keeping the right of walkers in mind. Cyclists too need to be protected from the onslaught of vehicles.