Urgent reforms needed

Recent comprehensive studies on road safety in Jammu and Kashmir have sounded a dire warning: the Union Territory is heading towards a traffic disaster if immediate, concrete steps are not taken. With more than 22.66 lakh registered vehicles now navigating its roads and a consistent rise in road accidents and fatalities, the traffic scenario is not just concerning, it’s alarming. What makes this trend even more distressing is the fact that many of these accidents are preventable. Rash driving, over-speeding, lack of lane discipline, poor enforcement of traffic rules, and underdeveloped infrastructure all contribute to the mounting death toll. In Jammu and Kashmir, even minor negligence can prove fatal. Statistics reveal a sobering truth: hundreds lose their lives every year in road accidents in J&K, while thousands more suffer injuries with many of them life-altering. These are not just numbers, but represent shattered families, economic hardship and a healthcare system burdened by avoidable trauma. Several factors are fuelling this crisis including overburdened roads, lax enforcement, inadequate public transport and neglect of pedestrian safety. The time for small, symbolic measures is over. The government must treat road safety as a public health emergency. A multi-pronged approach is needed including enforcement of traffic laws strictly and fairly, improving road design and maintenance, investing in public transport, launching sustained public awareness campaigns and strengthening emergency response systems. However, the common masses too have to play a key role. Driving is a responsibility, not a right. Reckless behavior on the road can no longer be excused or ignored.