The article, “A shrug instead of outrage” (June 15), was powerful. Growing CCTV footage of accidents, typically involving speeding vehicles, only causes horror and fear in us. What is worse is when people gather at the spot and refuse to help the accident victim — also a sign of the low value of a life in our society. RTOs can get tougher about issuing licences in the first place, providing no room for touts. Wilful offenders must be treated on a par with history-sheeters.
Anand Srinivasan,
Bengaluru
It was Austrian philosopher and “maverick social critic” Ivan Illich who pointed out that as private transportation speeds increase, so does the level of inequality and the appropriation of the public and community realm of the road by a few private individuals. One also recalls the words of the mayor of a Spanish city who remarked that “the true state of development of a city is reflected by the width of its footpaths!” One of the basic reasons for bad drivers in India is that they are not rigorously taught the basics of road use etiquette and ethics, but only just to hold the steering wheel (if at all!) and operate the pedals. We need closer regulation and proper accreditation of our driving schools.
John Kurien,
Kozhikode
