Road rage: Focus on public accountability

VELLORE: The death of two school boys, who rammed into a truck in front of them has raised issues of public accountability. The accident, which occured on Saturday, also left a third pillion rider critically injured, after the trio rammed into a truck on the National Highway. The incident has raised issues questioning public accountability, parental responsibility and negligence on the part of officials. While the police is investigating the incident which has become the talk of the city, it is easy for one to establish  without getting into the technical details of what vehicle the boys had used, at what speed they were cruising, whether they followed traffic rules and whether that last fateful ride had been approved by the parents, the fact remains that rash, negligent driving had killed them. For the numerous other adventurous parents, who must be feeling proud to hand over vehicle keys to the youngsters, this incident must be a wake-up call.There is no denying that many children grow up in families where motorcycles have become a part of life. Many fathers take the boys for rides as soon as they are old enough to walk. While most children love riding motorcycles, the issue here is whether they must be exposed to risks and safety in the name of adventure before they are mature enough to handle high speed vehicles on the highway under chaotic traffic conditions.Social activists here are apprehensive about the menace of juveniles riding motorbikes, fearing their safety. They are also worried to see many people riding two wheelers carrying young children with them under extremely risky conditions on  busy roads here. Some children are seen seated on the fuel tank of the motorbikes and their proud parents let them manoeuvre the bike! One could also see young mothers seated as pillion riders in the two wheelers, holding the baby in her hands thus subjecting them both to traffic risks and inviting mishaps. “It is a cognisable offense to expose children willfully to undergo physical suffering or death under negligent conditions,” says social activist Ruby Nakka, quoting Section 23 of the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act. “While it would be rude to comment on the role of the grieving parents who have lost their wards in this case, it must be an eye opener for other parents who feel proud to encourage their wards to ride the motorbikes at a young age in the name of adventure. They must be held accountable under law for enabling youngsters to violate the law,” he added.General Secretary of the Trauma Care and Road Safety Trust Dr Franco Benedict wants the district administration to put an end to youngsters daring to ride motorbikes without proper age or driving licences. “Their vehicles must be seized and cases should be booked against them as well as their parents for encouraging their wards to indulge in such misadventures. Also, traffic monitoring of such juvenile riders must be intensified,” he added.