Despite regulations in place, road nuisance remains as illegal parking, noise pollution, blinding lights etc. remain unchecked, while people use mobile phone while driving.
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Driving can be dangerous if one is not alert and cautious. To help (avoid road accidents), the government has regulations in place. The concerned authorities do post notifications from time to time, but who cares? These are just routine notices to portray the relevance of the concerned departments(?). Traffic violators (there are numerous out there in the lawless streets and highways) are just not bothered. There are some major areas that bother the public.
Illegal Parking: A number of drivers lack road etiquette. They know how to drive, and that’s where all their knowledge ends. They park in every conceivable place, many a time, causing traffic snarls. Some Traffic Controllers turn a blind eye (to this). If they are so scared, they should give up their uniforms. If they feel that some miscreants are goons, call for help. But do something! Some drivers are arrogant morons, to the point that they are not bothered who is inconvenienced. They take their time ambling around their cars, ignoring irritated public. They even get irritated that other drivers are not patient enough. Wish we have a suitable law for such goons and morons.
Mobile Phone-using Drivers and Traffic Cops: There are many drivers who use mobile phones while driving. These drivers are so engrossed in their gadgets that they are a hazard to other vehicles and pedestrians. Traffic Controllers too have been seen using on their mobile phones while at their posts (on duty), ignoring snarling traffic, particularly at important cross-sections, posing a grave danger to all. Wish we could afford cameras (CCTV) to record such illegal activities.
Speed Limit: Wonder why Kohima town has no SPEED LIMIT! Many vehicles, including those of VIPs, uniformed personnel, and some ordinary civilians are often seen in a tearing hurry. Some drive recklessly at unnervingly high speeds, which poses a serious threat to everyone on the roads, especially in crowded streets, but the concerned agencies remain mute spectators. Wish we have CCTVs and specially trained police with clout to deal with such offenders.
Noise Pollution: Some drivers are nuisance on the road, revving up high decibels. Dimapur has done a wonderful job by removing the irregular mufflers(?) and penalising the drivers/riders. One wonders why so many 2- and 4-wheeler riders/drivers are allowed to create irritating noise that numbs the senses in the state capital. Wish we have tough laws here (in Kohima) too.
Blinding Lights: Some vehicles are beautifully decorated with lights all over, from top to bottom. As soon as darkness sets in, these vehicles roar through our roads with all lights on, reminding us of Christmas and New Year. The festive season is over for us but not these drivers, who continue to blind oncoming vehicle drivers with their powerful beams.
Then there are the drivers who blind us on the roads by not using the dipper. Most may not even know what a dipper is; such was their training, if they were trained at all.
Two major areas of stationary blinding irritation are at the Assam Rifles camps at Chieswema and Kohima. On the way to Kohima, numerous powerful lamps are seen along the Chieswema Battalion walls, at the front gate. Of these, 5 Search Lights with their powerful beams are directed at all human eyes on the highway. At the Kohima Battalion, just where the D-Block road meets the street coming down from the DC office Complex, another blinding lamp pierces the cornea of all drivers’ eyes. Someone had once complained of blinding lights near the Oking Hospital area too. Wish we have a harsh law against such blinding lights, no matter who the culprits are.
Sun Shades: Many notices have warned against the use of tinted films on vehicle glass over the years. But a few shady characters on the streets still use very dark films. But who’s bothered?
Illegal Number Plates: White registration plates with black alphanumeric characters are the norm. But there are pretty plates of various designs that beautify our vehicle population. The concerned department had issued stern notices against their usage, which alas, lack teeth.
Dear concerned Departments/ authorities, stop issuing notices. ACT! We citizens deserve better, something revolutionary.
G.T. Thong
Lower Agri Colony, Kohima