Someone famous once said, “Life is what you make out of it.” How true is this adage, considering the death of a 17-year-old boy from JP Nagar 7th Phase who was mercilessly mowed down by a car? The incident was reported in local newspapers, and it makes us wonder if your life is in fact what others make for you.

What is needed is road discipline by people behind the wheel. If one steps into the four-road junction in front of Brigade Millennium apartment complex in JP Nagar, one can observe that:

•Despite traffic signals in place, two wheelers whizz past when the signal is red, right under the cop’s nose

•Two wheelers ride on the pavement, so as to be the first to speed when the signal turns green

•The number of underage drivers is on the rise

•Driving/riding while talking on a cell phone is common

•Cars and two wheelers stop over the zebra crossing, making it difficult for people to cross the road

Peak traffic time from 5-8 pm is also when many youngsters step out. Are parents required to accompany teenagers everywhere? Helping them negotiate crossing roads is contradictory to raising them to be on their own. As parents and responsible citizens, we must step out of our comfort zones and create a safe environment for our children.

We can’t change the minds of the multitude of people who drive, but at least the next time we are behind the wheel, let us remember that people on the roads are someone’s loved ones. Human life is not cheap and needs to be respected. This will be emulated by our children.

We can make a difference by:

•Stopping ahead of the zebra line at traffic signals, making them pedestrian-friendly.

•There surely is no harm in waiting a few extra minutes at the signal. We don’t need to speed after the signal turns red.

•Give right of way to ambulances.

•Don’t intimidate people by revving up your engine while they cross the road. It does not show heroism.

Life is to be lived with mutual respect and not in threat and fear!

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A freelance writer who believes in surfacing obvious yet ignored facts to enable change in people's thinking and action.

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