Authorities must make streets safe for all

Representation pic

We have not heard the last of the horrific Delhi accident case, where a young woman who was riding a scooter lost her life after her two-wheeler was hit by a car. The automobile, which was occupied by five people, including the driver, was driven around with her beneath it. The woman died of multiple injuries and blunt force trauma.

Even as you read this, there will be more reports about the accident, more twists and turns and perhaps even surprises in this tragedy as accusations and explanations fly.

Yet, this is not about varying accounts, inebriated driving or what exactly happened. Safer streets are the focus now and this pertains not just to Delhi but across the board.

Also read: Delhi: Police officer booked for ramming six vehicles with his car

Bright lighting on every path, including side streets, subways, alleys and of course main roads, is a deterrent to crime. Though not always, for we do witness crimes taking place in broad daylight. Well-lit streets, however, do deter crime to some extent and make criminals think twice.

A beefed-up police presence on roads through the night, especially on occasions such as New Year's Eve and festivals, makes a difference. Analysts have been asking where were the police in the context of this crime. There is also the question of response time. If the police were informed about the woman's plight, could they have rushed to the spot faster? Has there been a tragic lack of communication or messages that have not been passed on? How can we cut our response time during emergencies?

Furthermore, surveillance on our roads outside buildings and shops needs to be of high quality and completely spot-on.

Safer streets means constant upgrades, vigilance and looking into every single aspect of the problem from individual behaviour to physical infrastructure.