Responsible Pedestrians

Drivers and riders aren't the only ones who are responsible for following the traffic rules and avoiding accidents. Pedestrians are equally responsible and liable to the aftermath. We have seen some motorcycles and cars driving past a traffic light even when the traffic light is signalling red. We have even seen some driving really fast just to make it before the light turns from green to red. We know that these are wrong. But, for the past few months, I have seen many pedestrians cross the roads even when the light is green. They expect the bikes and cars to slow down or stop since they are walking through the zebra crossing. But this is wrong and extremely harmful. 

 I have also noticed people being impatient while crossing crossroads in the presence of traffic police. Here, the traffic police aim at directing the vehicles and controlling the traffic jam while guiding the pedestrians to wait and cross the roads in a group. However, some pedestrians become impatient and try to cross the road while the traffic police aren't looking. Many times, this causes even more traffic jams as big vehicles have to stop from time to time for a single person to cross the road. It is always better to be patient and wait for a few minutes rather than being impatient and walking while risking your life.

In many places within the Kathmandu Valley, pedestrians do not use the sky bridge and cross through the roads just below it. People think that they can easily cross through the roads when the traffic is less and going across through the bridge takes much more time and effort. But many accidents have occurred specifically due to this reason. It is our responsibility to be willing to take the longer but safer path to avoid accidents. In many cases, the riders and drivers are at a higher speed due to the presence of such sky bridges, which is wrong as well, hence using the sky bridge is much safer for pedestrians.

Likewise, pedestrians should walk on the road strictly using the sidewalks. Many times, people feel that sidewalks are really congested and walking on the side of the road is better. But in many cases when the vehicles are overtaking through the left side of the road, it increases the chances of meeting with an accident. Overtaking through the right side is much more preferred compared to the left as similar accidents could occur, but it is much better to take care of ourselves and use the sidewalk.

The sky bridges and majority of the sidewalks consist of paths for disabled people as well, which is a good thing. Many required places consist of traffic lights and zebra crossings as well. The government has completed their duties in these sectors, and now it is the responsibility of pedestrians to utilise them properly.

Therefore, pedestrians are equally responsible in avoiding accidents and following the rules and regulations as much as the drivers and riders. Just because the traffic police don't take as much action against the pedestrian for misconduct like they do against the vehicles, doesn't mean they are free to be irresponsible. Because, in the end, it is their own lives they are putting at risk.