Corruption- A Latent Cause For Road Deaths?
“The traffic police constable asked me for my licence and I of course didn't have one so I negotiated for a while and we made a settlement. I feel horrible for risking my life and endangering passenger safety on the roads. I'm truly very sorry.”
Whether it is a bribe paid to procure a driver’s licence or greasing a traffic policeman’s palms for violating a traffic rule, corruption has been an indirect cause for the increase in a number of road accidents. Even though the cause and effect relationship is indirect, one can hold such practises responsible for the rise in road deaths. A 14 year old from Hyderabad confesses to have bribed a traffic policeman after he was caught driving without a licence. Moreover, being an adult cannot guarantee safety on roads, for many a time a bribe is all that’s needed to get a driver’s licence made. Who said passing the driving test was pre-requisite. A bribe does that far easily.
The increase in a number of road accidents needn’t be attributed to the swelling traffic or ruthless driving. Rather, the laxity in our transport system and police department requires immediate fixing to prevent further harm to life.