Just going through the newspapers in morning, I came across this article on a 'Road Safety Crusader Jyoti Gupta', and her story on how she lost her husband 'Pankaj Gupta', cardiologist at Medanta Medicity, Gurgaon and her three year old daughter 'Lineshya'.
It was heart rending account of how these two innocent lives were lost to a speeding bus. After the accident, the driver casually said, 'that I pressed the accelerator instead of the breaks'.
With over three years of driving experience, the driver confessed that he got his driving license illegally through an agent by just paying Rs. 5,000/-, later realizing the gravity of the situation, retorted, "Why blame me? Just my following rules wont make any difference. And I needed money for my poor family back home."
Can this highly callous, indifferent and irresponsible attitude be excused?
While Jyoti has taken up the road safety crusade by writing a letter to the Prime Minister seeking a comprehensive National Road Safety Law, nothing can make up for the life of her deceased husband and daughter. We salute her for her spirit and courageous initiative of making a difference.
With one road death happening every four minutes on Indian roads, there are thousands of unfortunate stories like these.
Though Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 is in place yet much needed amendments are yet to take place. What can we do till the time a comprehensive road safety legislation is operational?
I want answers from the readers..
Source: Utpal Kumar, Mail Today, New Delhi/Chandigarh, Sunday, June 8, 2014.
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