FIRs against errant drivers deserves applause

Bikers take a wrong-way turn to avoid heavy traffic on the Western Express Highway at Goregaon, on July 30, 2021. Pic/Satej Shinde

In a very welcome initiative, the city traffic police will now book vehicle drivers and riders for taking the wrong side of the road. The newly appointed Commissioner of Police (CP) Sanjay Pandey has ordered the force to file FIRs against offenders.

This is a definite escalation from earlier action, where the offenders were only fined.

We must recognise the proactive response by the CP, who seems to be engaging with the citizenry, which is heartening. We had the recent no towing rule which is on for a week on an experimental basis, and now this action which should be permanent.

It shows that for good or bad, the top cop is at least willing to listen to Mumbaikars and most importantly, take action when warranted.

This should now put fear into drivers and riders who break the rules without a care in the world.

Bikers especially squeeze into the side of the road, as cars are moving, taking shortcuts and vending their way through the wrong side.

Since their vehicle is smaller and easier to manoeuvre, two-wheeler riders often ply on the wrong side, in order to cut time and avoid a slightly longer route.

This results in putting people on the road at great risk. Consider this scenario, where pedestrians are waiting to cross the road. They are standing at an intersection looking in one direction for vehicles to stop at the signal or for slow vehicles so that they have an opportunity to get to the other side. Just as they begin to cross a vehicle comes in from the other side, either knocking them down or stopping inches away. Definite danger to life.

The FIR action needs a round of applause, as this flouting of rules and laws needs to be stamped out completely.