If you are hit by a passing car while crossing a road without a zebra crossing in an urban expressway, you are not just a victim but will now also be liable for penalties. This is according to the Road Safety and Transport Regulations 2021 which the Traffic Division of the police plans to implement soon in light of the increasing cases of pedestrian accidents. The authorities fear it will keep increasing posing risks to more lives if they do not start implementing the regulations. Previously, the authorities penalised only the drivers in such incidences.
While some drivers in Thimphu accuse pedestrians of being careless while crossing the roads, others said hedges planted on dividers along the expressway are also leading to such accidents.
“There is an increasing number of accidents in Thimphu. I think it is because the people are not using the zebra crossings, most of the time. When they suddenly appear from nowhere, the drivers lose control of their car resulting in accidents,” said Thinley Dorji, a driver.
“There are hedges planted on the road dividers along the expressway in Thimphu Thromde. This is blocking the vision of the drivers. We cannot see clearly when children try to cross the road through the hedges,” said Phurpa Wangdi, another driver.
The Traffic Division said they will now start penalising offenders based on the Road Safety and Transport Regulations 2021. Chapter six of the regulation states that a person driving a motor vehicle shall not be liable for the death or injury of a pedestrian caused by an accident due to the carelessness of the pedestrian.
The number of pedestrian accidents along the expressway in Thimphu alone reached around 18, so far this year. Of them, three occurred on zebra crossings.
However, pedestrians have their sides of the story to share. Some say that the drivers speed up even on zebra crossings while others added that the markings of zebra crossings in some stretches are worn out and can barely be seen.
“It is obvious that many accidents are occurring at Babesa. The zebra crossings in the area are very far from each other. Especially, here where the bus stops, there is no zebra crossing and we have to run to cross the road,” said Kencho Gyeltshen, a resident.
“Although we use zebra crossings, sometimes the cars come on full speed. At times, they do not stop the car even when we are walking on the zebra crossing. Forget about the fear of accidents when we do not use the zebra crossings, it is dangerous for us even when we use the zebra crossings,” said Chimi Seldon, another resident.
Meanwhile, the Thimphu Thromde says that the zebra crossings are repainted whenever required but they start fading due to continuous vehicle movement and rain.
They also added that the hedges should not be a barrier for the drivers as they are trimmed at a height of one to two feet for visibility.
The traffic division plans to create awareness among the public regarding the regulation before implementation. They added the rule applies to all pedestrians regardless of whether it involves a pedestrian accident or not.
Namgay Dema
Edited by Phub Gyem
