Unawareness of traffic rules in Indians due to lenient RTO

When it comes to traffic rules, we Indians are pitiably ill-informed, which is a major reason for the country seeing so many traffic accidents and deaths. And even when we are informed, we have blatant disregard for the rules and we hardly follow any of them while driving. Both the RTOs and the traffic cops are responsible for this grave lack. First, the RTO takes no responsibility of making people aware of the rules. The regional transport office in a city is only too preoccupied in registering new vehicles and issuing licenses to new drivers. It has no time for other errands needed for a safe traffic system in the country. Nor does it care or devise ways to honour its other responsibilities apart from the perfunctory compulsions. We all know how licenses are issued by the RTOs. That’s the best example of their leniency and lackadaisical attitude. Hardly any test is conducted on the ground. The theoretical test usually conducted for the new license seeker is too basic and more like an eyewash, again a very clichéd and typical test that is hardly ever backed by a simple practical examination of the ability of a new driver to manoeuvre well on the road and tackle difficult or unexpected situations. The mandatory test is often given a pass, which is why we find so many untrained and inefficient drivers on the roads which put the life of road users in peril every minute. There are several other such discrepancies in the RTO working which spoils our driving experience. Fitness certificates to vehicles issued by the RTOs is also a mill of corruption, where often unfit vehicles are given the nod to move on the roads, obviously in lieu of money passed under the table. We often find school/college buses and trucks on the roads which are rickety, smock-belching and without the mandated safeguards. Had he RTOs been serious such a glaring lapse would never occur. It is only after some mishap happens that the lacunae come out in the open, even as once the brouhaha gets over, the babus are back to their groove. The next responsibility is naturally of the traffic police to control such discrepancies and lapses. Unfortunately, for one, in most cities the number of traffic cops is too low compared to the demand to man the squares and check vehicles. There is a perennial gap between a burgeoning demand and inadequate staffing. This puts immense physical and mental pressure on every cop, and efficient policing gets hit. The other factor is the prevalence of rampant corruption in the department. A hundred rupees note is all one needs to trounce the law. Every cop is ready to let you go once you brandish the moolah. This has spawned a national culture of disregard for the traffic rules and laws. Therefore, the RTOs’ dereliction on the one hand and the traffic sergeants’ impunity on the other, work as double whammy for the traffic system of the country. The government is trying hard to enhance the efficiency of these departments through proper monitoring and accountability and streamline the traffic system to make it safer and smoother, the lags and ills are so deeply entrenched in the system that it may not be so easy to achieve the target in any short time.