Road Safety Month (November) in the city is a paradox in itself. While police were busy flagging off the campaign at 1090 Crossing on Friday, people were actively flouting traffic rules unchallenged barely 50 metre away.
Between 4pm and 5pm, TOI saw violations ranging from quintuple-riding (five on a two-wheeler) and helmetless biking by both policemen and commoners to speeding, driving without seat belts and driving in wrong lane.
Bikers and motorists on phone was a common sight; and then, there were overloaded passenger and goods vehicles.
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The inauguration of ‘Road Safety Month’ meant to enforce traffic rules and make people aware of law turned out to be an eyewash. Not only violators went past police squad at the inaugural venue with impunity, some who were caught got away without any challan by making lame excuses. This explains why people do not take traffic rules seriously in the city. Discipline becomes a habit only when people are made to understand that the traffic rules are for their own safety and the laws are enforced strictly.
The opening ceremony, which began around 4pm, was attended by the who’s who of police, including ADG (Lucknow zone), IG (Lucknow range), IG (traffic), DIG (traffic) and the SSP.
Stone’s throw from the function and right under the nose of senior officers, Young Lucknow was being reckless as ever while senior citizens tried to stick to safety guidelines. “We are faster than cops. We can play dodge forever. They will never catch us,” said one among three youths on a bike.
Most auto-rickshaw drivers at 1090 Crossing were without uniform and were ferrying more than three passengers. Cars had tinted windows and most people behind the wheel forgot to strap on the seat belt.
Lucknow police spokesperson Ashish Dwivedi, however, claimed they had booked 922 people for flouting traffic rules on Day One of the safety month. “As many as 318 were biking without helmet, 89 were penalised for driving in wrong direction,” he said.
Dwivedi added that senior police officers made people aware about traffic rules and safety signboards at the inauguration.