Nuisance value of modified silencers Sticking to traffic rules
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Nuisance with a capital N. This should about sum up the modified silencers youngsters fit onto their two wheelers and then zoom around in Imphal much to the annoyance of a good number of people. Noise pollution is too mild a word to describe the nuisance value of this modified silencers and despite the repeated warnings and the on and off drives launched against this nuisance it continues to be used by many with the devil may care attitude. And it was with a feeling of deep satisfaction that The Sangai Express ran a three column news article under the heading, ‘Modified silencers silenced under bulldozer; Stiff fines imposed on traffic violators’ in the February 21 edition, complete with picture of a bulldozer used to run over the seized modified silencers. The very word silencer should have a meaning and using the modified ones which amplify the noise level absolutely makes no sense at all. Youngsters and while the thrill they get from zooming around the busy roads of Imphal complete with the ear shattering noise and ringing out the message ‘Here I come’ may sound good to their ears, it does nothing but add to the all round chaos and confusion on the roads of Imphal. Thrill seekers, they may be, but this is definitely not the way to go about seeking thrills and this is where parents and elders of the family have a bounden duty to monitor what their children may be up to on their fancy bikes. Manipur has not heard of it, but perhaps it is time for the Traffic Police to make parents and elders of the family culpable too when their children give two hoots about the disturbance they cause to the public. Not only modified silencers, but parents and elders of the family too need to be made accountable when any of their minor children are found driving and recklessly at that. Manipur is under President’s Rule at the moment and perhaps this is the time for the Governor to crack down on the elements whose road nuisance has been growing by leaps and bounds every year. The Government may also serious think about clamping down harder on all traffic rule violators, but for such a drive to have any meaning, Raj Bhavan will need to ring out to all the suited, booted class and particularly the uniformed personnel that the roads they use are not their private properties and traffic rules also apply to them. It would instil confidence in the people if the Traffic Police can be persuaded to open a hotline where the public can give feedbacks when any of these suited, booted and uniformed personnel expect everyone to give them the right of way and come honking their way through even when the traffic red light has come on.
Rules and regulations and traffic norms are worked out to ensure the safety and security of all road users, but when these basics are flouted with impunity it would not only endanger the lives of others out on the road but also disturb their mental well being. It is good to see the Traffic Police cracking down on traffic violators and going after those with modified silencers and using tinted glasses on their cars and four wheelers, but the cops too should not forget that they also need to stick to traffic rules and regulations. It is not an uncommon sight to encounter men in uniform blowing their whistle, waving their hands from atop their vehicle to give way for the uniformed officer/s who may come higher in the pecking order, but this is sure to send the message, ‘if these cops can violate traffic rules, why can’t I when I get the opportunity’ to the people. It is a two way channel and cops should not be seen to be enforcing traffic rules and regulations only on the common people while their bosses may violate the same with impunity and in the process leave many fuming and disillusioned with what one calls, the rule of law. Hope this piece is taken note of and it would help all that more if the reality that has just been painted here reaches the eyes and ears of Raj Bhavan. A no nonsense administration should apply to all and not only to the commoners.
Rules and regulations and traffic norms are worked out to ensure the safety and security of all road users, but when these basics are flouted with impunity it would not only endanger the lives of others out on the road but also disturb their mental well being. It is good to see the Traffic Police cracking down on traffic violators and going after those with modified silencers and using tinted glasses on their cars and four wheelers, but the cops too should not forget that they also need to stick to traffic rules and regulations. It is not an uncommon sight to encounter men in uniform blowing their whistle, waving their hands from atop their vehicle to give way for the uniformed officer/s who may come higher in the pecking order, but this is sure to send the message, ‘if these cops can violate traffic rules, why can’t I when I get the opportunity’ to the people. It is a two way channel and cops should not be seen to be enforcing traffic rules and regulations only on the common people while their bosses may violate the same with impunity and in the process leave many fuming and disillusioned with what one calls, the rule of law. Hope this piece is taken note of and it would help all that more if the reality that has just been painted here reaches the eyes and ears of Raj Bhavan. A no nonsense administration should apply to all and not only to the commoners.