If you want to understand the real state of driving discipline in India, don’t look at the cars.
Look at the pedestrian.
In Indian cities, walking on the road is not an act of
mobility—it is an act of courage. Footpaths disappear without warning. Zebra
crossings are ignored. Signals favour vehicles, not people.
And yet, pedestrians remain the most vulnerable users of our
roads.
The Numbers We Prefer Not to See
Let’s begin with some uncomfortable data.
- According
to India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, pedestrians
account for around 20–22% of all road accident deaths in India.
- In
urban areas, pedestrians and cyclists together form nearly half of all
road fatalities.
- Most
pedestrian deaths occur while crossing the road, not walking
recklessly, but attempting to use crossings that drivers ignore.
These are not isolated incidents. They are systemic
failures.
Zebra Crossings Without Respect
Zebra crossings exist in most Indian cities. What they lack
is authority.
Drivers rarely slow down.
Two-wheelers cut across.
Autos squeeze through gaps.
Pedestrians wait, calculate, and then dash—not because they
want to, but because they have learned that no one will stop for them.
A zebra crossing without compliance is just white paint on
asphalt.
Footpaths That Don’t Belong to Pedestrians
Even before crossing the road, pedestrians face another
challenge—finding a footpath that actually works.
Common realities include:
- Footpaths
taken over by parked vehicles
- Vendors
occupying walking space
- Broken
slabs and open drains
- Complete
disappearance at intersections
As a result, pedestrians are forced onto the road itself,
competing with fast-moving vehicles.
We blame them for “walking on the road” while offering no
safe alternative.
Why Drivers Don’t Yield
In countries with disciplined traffic, pedestrians are given
clear priority. Vehicles slow down automatically.
In India, yielding is seen as:
- A
loss of momentum
- A
waste of time
- A
sign of weakness
The idea that a human on foot has priority over a machine is
not socially internalised.
This is not just a traffic issue—it is a cultural one.
Children, Elderly, and the Disabled Pay the Highest Price
Poor pedestrian infrastructure affects everyone, but some
groups suffer disproportionately:
- Elderly
citizens who cannot move fast
- Children
crossing near schools
- People
with disabilities navigating uneven surfaces
For them, crossing the road is not inconvenient—it is
dangerous.
A city that is unsafe for pedestrians is unsafe for its most
vulnerable citizens.
Traffic Signals Are Designed for Vehicles, Not People
At many intersections:
- Pedestrian
signal times are too short
- Crossings
are poorly marked
- Signals
are absent altogether
Pedestrians are expected to adjust to vehicle flow, not the
other way around.
This design philosophy sends a clear message: vehicles
matter more.
The Cost of Ignoring Pedestrians
When pedestrians are ignored:
- Accidents
increase
- Traffic
slows due to sudden crossings
- Road
rage incidents rise
- Cities
become less walkable and less liveable
Ironically, discouraging walking increases vehicle
dependency—making traffic even worse.
Discipline Begins With Yielding
Pedestrian safety does not require complex solutions.
It requires simple behavioural shifts:
- Slow
down near crossings
- Stop
when someone is waiting to cross
- Respect
school and hospital zones
- Treat
footpaths as pedestrian-only spaces
These actions cost drivers a few seconds. They save lives.
A Simple Test of Road Discipline
Ask yourself this the next time you approach a crossing:
If this person were my parent or child, would I still
accelerate?
Driving discipline is revealed not when the road is
empty—but when someone weaker depends on your decision.
Final Thought
Indian roads will never be truly disciplined until
pedestrians are visible again.
Because a road that protects only vehicles is not a modern
road—it is a hostile one.
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