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Every year in Jammu and Kashmir, hundreds of lives are lost to a silent killer—rash driving. With increasing motorization, narrow roads, treacherous terrains, and poor traffic enforcement, the region has become a breeding ground for R.A.S.H. (Reckless, Aggressive, Speeding, Hasty) driving. From the bustling streets of Srinagar to the steep curves of Doda and Poonch, irresponsible drivers turn vehicles into weapons. What makes this all the more painful is that these deaths are preventable.
Every fatal crash in the Valley is more than a statistic. It is a personal tragedy—a father who won’t return home from work, a student whose bright future ends on a highway, a mother lost on a pilgrimage route. Reckless drivers often act with impunity, emboldened by lax penalties, insufficient policing, and a general culture of negligence. The cost is borne by the innocent—those who follow rules, wear helmets, and drive responsibly.
Driving in Jammu and Kashmir requires not only skill but restraint. Yet, we see young men drag racing on city roads, overloaded passenger vehicles on mountain paths, and bikers pulling stunts without protective gear. Rash driving has become a symbol of bravado, instead of shame. In places like Banihal, Rajouri, and Uri, even minor mistakes on hairpin bends can lead to fatal falls. Still, traffic violations often go unchecked, and accident investigations rarely lead to lasting consequences.
The Motor Vehicles Act does lay down penalties for dangerous driving, but implementation in J&K remains weak. Traffic police are understaffed and under-equipped, especially in rural and hilly areas. There is no consistent system of tracking repeat offenders. Speed governors, dashboard cameras, and mandatory driver re-testing after violations are still not widely enforced. Without fear of punishment, drivers continue to endanger lives.
Jammu and Kashmir needs immediate and comprehensive measures. First, strict enforcement of traffic laws, including impounding vehicles for repeated violations. Second, installation of speed-monitoring systems on highways and in city centers. Third, mandatory safety education in schools and licensing tests. Fourth, road engineering must be improved to prevent high-speed mishaps on curves and inclines. Most importantly, courts must treat rash driving deaths not as accidents, but as criminal negligence.
Each road victim deserves more than condolences—they deserve justice. When a speeding driver mows down a pedestrian or plunges a bus into a ravine, it should result in prosecution, not just an apology. The law must send a clear message: driving is a privilege, not a license to kill. In the mountains and valleys of Jammu and Kashmir, where a single wrong move can end dozens of lives, reckless drivers must be treated as what they are—potential killers.
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