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Follow rules of traffic, cut mishap rate

The number of deaths in India on roads due to accidents is much more than that in the USA even though the number of vehicles in the USA far exceeds those in our country. It is estimated that about 1,43,000 fatal accidents occur every year on Indian roads. The reason is that we often violate traffic rules and expose our lives to risk.

It is desirable that awareness of traffic rules is created. At the same time, the police should take strict action against those violating the rules. There is a long list of common traffic violations, the main being drunken driving, overspeeding, jumping the red light, not wearing seat belt and not properly fastening the helmet.

Once I had stopped at a crossing due to the red light signal, but I saw that some commuters were driving their vehicles across on my right and left, without caring for the stop sign. It was annoying, but I did not have the authority to stop or challan the offenders. It was disgusting to find the commuter behind me honking and showing his displeasure at me for preventing him from moving forward.

GR KALRA, Panchkula

Fill up the pits

I want to highlight the bad condition of roads in Jalandhar. Throughout the year, most of the roads remain dug up and traffic has to be diverted. There is danger of people falling into pits. There is no space for pedestrians to walk. The municipal authorities have done hardly anything in this matter. We wish to have smooth and well-kept roads.

Raghav Mahajan, Jalandhar

Stray cattle menace

I commute daily between Pinjore and Zirakpur and generally return from Zirakpur after 8 pm.

Though the quality of the newly constructed road is excellent, driving at night is not safe because of stray cattle that can cause accidents. Barring lights along the toll plaza at Chandi Mandir, the road is not well lit.

The authority concerned should ensure the installation of proper lighting.

Jai Kishan Gupta, email

Peaceful Diwali

Diwali is a significant religious festival, which brings joys and happiness every year and is celebrated with lots of fanfare. The festival inspires us to spread the message of love, brotherhood and friendship. Let us not make it just a show of lightning, fireworks and crackers or a festival of noise. Let us decorate our homes by lighting eco-friendly earthen lamps and enjoy Diwali as a festival of lights, rather than a festival of noise, pollution and mishaps.

HARPREET SANDHU, Ludhiana

Value roads

The roads of Patiala are in a pathetic condition and the SAD-BJP alliance has not done anything to improve them. A few days ago, I noticed that a small portion of the Shakti Vihar-Badungar road had been reconstructed. Then, to my surprise, I saw big holes made by the erection of tents on the newly built road. When will we improve our habits, when we will value the importance of public property?

Amit Garg, Patiala

Law catches up with criminal MP The editorial, "No more MP: Convicted Rajya Sabha member loses seat" (October 23), brings to fore undesirable acts of chosen representatives of the people and the consequences of their criminal acts. It also shows how shrewdly and confidently they work without fear of harm they might cause to the innocent directly or indirectly. The Supreme Court's decision has strengthened the functional democracy and its capacity in meeting challenges for its onward and upward movement in the highly competitive world. The decision has jolted unscrupulous elements' belief that no politician gets convicted. The verdict is good for the political class as it begins the cleanliness work to keep its efficiency and prestige intact. More action is needed on this front to stem the rot in the working and status of our politicians. The notion that convicted politicians should have no place among law makers of the land is right and needs to be advocated. JAGVINDER SINGH BRAR, Patiala