People in Gujarat do not care for traffic rules; State doesn't have spine to implement them: Gujarat High Court

Coming down heavily on the State government for its failure to tackle road traffic, the Gujarat High Court on Tuesday observed that people in the State do not care for traffic rules at all..While hearing a contempt petition, a Bench of Justices AS Supehia and MR Mengdey referred to the recent tragic Iskcon Bridge accident, wherein a speeding high-end car mowed down nine persons in Ahmedabad. It said that such accidents take place because the State government does not have the 'spine' to act against traffic violators."Do you (State) know the core reason why accidents like the recent fatal one take place? The perpetrators don't have the fear of law. They blatantly, with impunity, violate the laws. You (State) don't have the spine to implement traffic rules rather you don't have the will," Justice Supehia remarked.The Court further said that people in cities like Mumbai and Delhi fear traffic laws but "nobody cares' about it in Gujarat. "Look at your own management first and then compare it with cities like Mumbai, Delhi, where people fear traffic laws. But here in Gujarat no body cares, even your constables are just mute spectators. We have personally seen this. They do nothing and just close their eyes. So why shouldn't we frame charges for contempt?"The government boasting about its CCTV cameras is a farce, as the accident revealed that most of the cameras were not working, the Court saod..The Court went on to urge the State to impart proper training to its traffic personnel so that people in the State develop some fear of traffic rules."Either send them (traffic cops) to Mumbai, where traffic sense, traffic implementation and rules and laws are very strict. Same is in Delhi. Either send your officers there or bring cops from those cities to this State. People here are not scared for the laws. People have become fearless. Its time to deal with such people with iron hands..." Justice Supehia said..The Bench also referred to incidents where policemen were beaten up by citizens while trying to implement traffic rules."You need to first develop a mechanism so that people, before breaching laws, are scared that they will be subjected to some punishment. Develop something which inculcates respect of law, respect for policemen, who are doing their duties," the Bench opined.Government pleader Manisha Luvkumar-Shah informed the Court that the State has launched an e-challan system, among other mechanisms to curb traffic violations.However, the Bench reiterated that the State must use spike-like devices, especially for curbing driving on the wrong side of the road."I have personally seen use of spikes in cities like Pune, Bangalore, Noida etc. Wrong side driving cannot happen there. Why can't you implement something like this? Wherever there are dividers, people take wrong side. If something is happening in other cities, why can't you follow?" the judges asked..Meanwhile, counsel representing the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) apprised the Court of some measures the civic body and the traffic department have undertaken to curb the traffic menace, including licence-checking."Do you wait for an accident to happen? Licence checking etc must happen regularly, not some times only. The parents who have lost their children in these accidents will not forget in their life. Where is the fear for traffic laws? With impunity it is being violated. We reiterate that you don't have the guts and spine to implement the traffic laws," Justice Supehia emphasised.In response, the AMC counsel submitted that no one can say that everything is perfect across the country and that rules are being implemented.To this, the Bench responded,"We are not living in Eutopia. We want that at least there should be some reasonable implementation of laws."Shah then assured the Bench that the State will enhance its machinery..Justice Supehia then clarified that the Court was doing all this for children who were dying in accidents on a daily basis.Sharing his personal experience, Justice Supehia said that once, while he himself was driving his car, a motorist came from the wrong side and parked his bike in front of the judge's car, leaving no space for him to move."I clicked his photograph and attempted to file a complaint through my secretary and the police officer told him 'rehva do na saab' (let it go sir). This is why there is no fear for laws among the public," the judge explained..The matter has now been adjourned to August 9, on which date the authorities are required to show the action taken against traffic violators, eateries that have encroached on public streets, stray cattle menace etc.