Cops in Ri Bhoi are dead serious this time in ensuring road discipline in the face of rising number of accident cases by consistently holding a series of initiatives focused on teaching drivers’ proper lane discipline and safe driving practices through a hands-on demonstration, to even use indicators. The initiative has been lauded by every right thinking citizen.
Driving for many in Meghalaya is perceived as a child’s play as getting on the steering wheel is considered a skill enough for an individual to be considered a driver, without the knowledge of even how indicators are used, until cops stepped in to create awareness. Road signs are ignored due to lack of awareness and a mentality that overlooks safety rules. Obtaining a driving license from the transport office is not at all complex because middlemen/agents have managed to creep into the system that many could bypass mandatory tests.
Driving is a complex and responsible task that requires significant skill, knowledge of traffic laws, and awareness to operate a motor vehicle safely. So where do one get these significant skills if not from licensed driving schools, who can offer professional and expert training. However, for many getting help from parents, siblings, or friends is preferred rather than to spend on driving schools that may be expensive. The drawbacks are many professional instructors say. From unsafe habits or outdated knowledge of rules, which can unintentionally pass on to the learner, there could be gaps in knowledge of driving rules to even production of overconfidence or under-confidence drivers. Driving schools on the other hand offer structured curriculums, certified instructors, and consistent knowledge of traffic laws and safety practices.
Already some sort of a culture has been cultivated in driving which authorities must put in a system where obtaining a driving license would require training from recognised driving training centres. It would not only make the road safe but lessen the burden on the police. Of course they are law enforcers; their role is multifaceted and demanding, encompassing much more than just enforcing laws. Nonetheless “only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches” and not all will comprehend.
Another menace on the roads of Meghalaya, as in other places are underage drivers. Stubborn children or doting parents, either way, there has been a heavy toll on the roads because of this. That’s why since around 2019 police have been very strict about implementing the law by imposing severe penalties on the parents or guardians of underage drivers. Since 2019, when the Motor Vehicles Act was amended heavy fines even up to Rs 25,000 can be levied on parents if a minor is caught driving a vehicle illegally. The penalty can alternatively be imprisonment for up to three years.
The registration of the vehicle can be cancelled for 12 months and the minor will be ineligible to obtain a learner’s or driving license until they turn 25 years old.
Meanwhile, the notorious fame of alleged police corruption is now tempered after a system of strict vigilance and monitoring over a digitalised collection of fines was implemented. However, very little measures are taken to discourage drunken driving as so far no alcohol breath analyzers are being used, except in Ri Bhoi. This will certainly help make drivers think twice before going on the binge.
