Most of the traffic problems being faced in Punjab are mainly because of improper infrastructure and lack of traffic sense.
Infrastructure in the form of public transport system and roads needs tremendous improvements. most of the roadways buses are overcrowded, the drivers are overworked, the conductors are always looking for more and more commuters even if there is no place to even stand inside the bus.
The passenger seats are torn, filthy, too uncomfortable and tiring. The drivers are more concerned about jumping the railway crossings or crossing the traffic signals so that they don’t have to wait and they can reach the destinations on time. None of the drivers use seat belts; they can be commonly seen talking on cell phones while driving, when about 100 passengers keep taking deep sighs while drivers talk and drive.
Indicators seem to be out of fashion, leave aside using them. Power brakes and pressure horns are the bus driver’s favorite tools. The eyesight of the drivers and their color sense is also questionable, besides proper driving license.
An interesting fact is the posture in which the drivers drive the buses. The position of drivers seat, gear box and steering is seldom in proper alignment, making their task even more tiring and frustrating. And in case of a breakdown, I once found a Punjab roadways driver almost begging the mechanics at the workshop to repair the fault in his bus while the latter was busy playing cards.
The roads are seldom in riding condition , poorly lit, often flooded in rains, and cattle are often found loitering in the middle of them.
all these , besides the poor traffic sense and impatience make driving on Punjab roads a nightmare.
To check all this, the following steps need to be taken:
Making seat belts compulsory
Checking over speeding
Checking overloading
Banning mobile phones while driving
Proper training of drivers
Better infrastructure, an efficient public transport system and better roads