The Moral and Practical Imperative of Safe Driving

In the contemporary world, where the ability to travel freely supports both economic growth and personal independence, driving has become not only a necessity but a shared responsibility. Roads connect not just places, but people, aspirations, and daily routines.

Despite the vital role driving plays in our lives, it remains one of the most dangerous everyday activities we engage in. The question, then, is not simply how we move, but how responsibly we choose to do so. Safe driving is not only a matter of legal obligation; it is a moral imperative and a public good that calls for renewed attention.

Across India, as per the Union Ministry for Road Transport and Highways, road traffic accidents claim nearly 1,70,000 lives in 2022. In 2023-24, Nagaland recorded 76 deaths due to road accident according to Nagaland Disaster Statistics 2024.

While major cities often attract the spotlight when it comes to traffic issues, it is equally important to consider states like Nagaland, where road safety is increasingly becoming a matter of serious concern. Nestled in the hills and foothills, Nagaland presents a unique geographical and social context for understanding the challenges of safe driving.

The terrain itself demands steep gradients, narrow bends, and roads that often skirt the edges of deep valleys. During the rainy season, landslides and reduced visibility only add to the dangers. Yet, despite these natural constraints, many accidents in Nagaland stem not from the terrain, but from entirely preventable human actions: over speeding, drunk driving, riding without helmets or seatbelt, overtaking on narrow roads, and so on.

These incidents are not tragic mysteries; they are the logical outcomes of behaviour influenced by complacency and poor road discipline. A driver glancing at a phone for "just a second" on a winding mountain road is not merely being careless, they are inviting disaster. Similarly, riding a two-wheeler without a helmet is not a sign of confidence, but of deep irresponsibility. Every time someone chooses inconvenience over caution, they not only endanger themselves but also everyone else who uses the road pedestrians, school children, elderly villagers, and fellow drivers alike.

We must understand that safe driving is not about being overly cautious, it is about being consciously responsible. And responsibility is not confined to the individual driver alone. There must be a broader foundation support that includes legislation, enforcement, infrastructure, education, and culture.

First, enforcement must be consistent and uncompromising. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019, which seeks to penalise unsafe driving practices with stricter fines and rules, must be enforced in spirit, not just in letter. In Nagaland, traffic police need more equipment, training, and community support to carry out their duties effectively. Laws must be clear, visible, and applicable to everyone, without exceptions for power, status, or familiarity.

Second, infrastructure must match the needs of the region. This entails better road maintenance, installation of guardrails on sharp bends, reflectors and signage in accident-prone zones, proper drainage to prevent road erosion, and regular assessments of high-risk areas.

Third, technology must play a supportive role. Features like anti-lock braking systems (ABS), lane departure warnings, and automated emergency braking, commonly available in newer vehicles should be encouraged. But these are aids, not substitutes. The core of safe driving lies in alertness, patience, and human judgment.

Most importantly, we must invest in education and awareness. Schools and colleges must treat road safety as a serious civic issue. Institutions like the National Cadet Crops, National Service Scheme, churches, youth bodies and several other organisations can take the lead in organising road safety workshops. But statistics alone are not enough. Awareness campaigns must use real-life stories from our own neighbourhoods, the mother who lost her son to a drunk driver, the student who couldn’t appear for exams due to a reckless hit-and-run, the survivor still learning to walk again after a bike crash. These narratives are more powerful than data, they humanise the cost of negligence.

Changing the culture of driving is equally vital. In many places, including Nagaland, there is a dangerous admiration for speed, daring overtakes, and aggressive behaviour behind the wheel. But true strength lies not in showing off control over the vehicle, but in exercising control over one’s impulses. We must begin to celebrate courteous drivers, those who yield, slow down, and protect others' space on the road. Kindness should be the default, not the exception.

Driving should not be treated as a race to outpace others but as a journey taken with others, sometimes strangers, sometimes friends where the rules are simple: be careful, be patient, be human. When we start seeing each other not as obstacles but as fellow travellers with families, futures, and fears, we naturally drive with more care.

 The road is not merely a strip of tar and gravel. It is a moral arena, where every decision carries weight. In close-knit state like Nagaland, where a single accident can ripple through entire communities, safe driving must rise beyond a personal act. It must become a collective principle. The cost of negligence is far too great, while the path to prevention lies clearly before us.

Let our roads be known not for the lives they’ve claimed, but for the lives they’ve safeguarded. For with every cautious turn, every pause at a crossing, and every risk avoided, we are not merely complying with rules. Instead, we are affirming the value of life.

Chingri Rainam

Department of Mass Communication

Patkai Christian College (Autonomous)