Rickshaw drivers flout traffic rules, policemen helpless

VADODARA: ‘Traffic Ek Sanskar’ campaign run by the traffic police looks to be yielding the desired results. However, the process of instilling traffic rules as civic culture fails when it comes to auto rickshaws.

Commuters in several areas like Vasna Road, Akota, Old Padra Road and RC Dutt Road have lately started following traffic rules where they wait before the zebra crossing and stop at red lights even at unmanned junctions. Police officials claim that these are the results of year-long traffic drives where they have penalized and appreciated commuters for flouting and following rules.

But when one drives from Kalaghoda to railway station or bus station in Sayajigunj, the menace of auto rickshaws does not promise a smooth drive. In fact, the entry gates of railway station and bus stands are blocked by auto rickshaws at any hour of the day leaving other vehicle owners confused about the approach road.

“Police should make sure that other commuters should not be troubled because auto rickshaw drivers wait haphazardly near major public places. Proper auto stands should be made so that auto drivers do not lose their earnings and commuters are also not suffered,” said Parva Patel, a resident of Gorwa.

Besides haphazard parking of vehicles, citizens are also harrowed by rash driving of auto rickshaw drivers especially those transporting passengers on sharing basis.

“Auto rickshaw drivers change their lanes without giving any signals whenever they see a passenger on road. Traffic police should organize special drives to create awareness among them so that citizens do not have to suffer,” said Pradiep Wegad, a lecturer living in Pratapgunj. Wegad was once injured in a road accident when an auto rickshaw driver had suddenly changed lane without giving signal.

Senior police officials claim that even auto rickshaw drivers are also penalized along with other vehicle owners during the traffic drive. But numbers clearly show that traffic cops are going soft on auto rickshaw drivers. Last week, while 4,409 private vehicle owners were penalized for wrong side driving, illegal parking and not wearing helmet, only 93 auto rickshaws were detained under different rules of Motor Vehicle Act.