Over the years, the traffic police in India have really upped their game and come up with innovative ideas to ensure people follow traffic rules. From feeding traffic violaters ladoos to giving them roses to dressing as santa, the cops have gone beyond their required duties to solve recurring traffic issues.
However, their efforts are of no use if as citizens we disobey the rules and regulations. After all, for a society to function smoothly it is important that people have civic sense. Like, recently, an elderly woman had to take it upon herself and risk her life to ensure motorists follow traffic rules. At a busy stretch in Canal Road, Pune, Nirmala Gokhale made sure that two-wheelers didn’t encroach upon footpaths, reports Indian Express.
Have a look at the entire video:
This aunty from Pune is an inspiration to many. Well done Ma'am.
Shame on Bikers who ride on footpaths. It's sad to see senior citizens have to do the job what traffic police is supposed to do in our country.@nnatuTOI @mumbaimatterz @MNCDFbombay @mid_daypic.twitter.com/AB1TWmQPRW— Roads of Mumbai 🇮🇳 #StayHome (@RoadsOfMumbai) February 21, 2020
In the video, she can be seen blocking the way of bikers who tried riding on the pavement instead of the road to get ahead of traffic. “If you want to continue on the footpath you will have to hit me and go. Else get down and ride on the road,” she was quoted saying to a youth. The young man promptly complied with her.
The woman’s efforts reached Pune Police, who then responded:
Noted, We will definitely work on it.
— PUNE POLICE (@PuneCityPolice) February 21, 2020
Many people applauded the senior citizen for her determination and urged authorities to take strict action against traffic rule violators:
Hats off to senior citizens of Pune for teaching the riders some civic sense.
— madhukar upadhya (@madhukaru) February 21, 2020
Kudos to these senior citizens. How much aware they are! But there shouldn't be any need for them to do this if traffic police does it's job properly. And if bikers follow the descipline. @PuneCityPolice
— Kishore Sonecha (@kishoresonecha) February 21, 2020
@PuneCityPolice – you should felicitate this lady – she did what you couldn’t.
— विमल पाण्डे | Vimal Pandey🇮🇳 (@iVimalPandey) February 21, 2020
👏👏👏We require more people like her.
— Dimple Kadam (@dimple12) February 21, 2020
@PunePolice4U an inspirational lady. Do also notice the transgressions being committed.
— K… u… m… a… r… 🇮🇳… 3ft (@kum_1_09) February 21, 2020
Great job indeed. Shameful of those guys who blatantly violate traffic safety rules & moreover a major chunk of bikers are without helmets 🙆♂. Hell met if u don't wear a Helmet.
— SameerSJ (@Culturekurry) February 21, 2020
Others also raised questions about the motorist’s unruly behavior:
Look at the shameless bikers. Surprised to know you think it's the job of the Traffic police to stop these bikers. Bikers have no business to be riding on footpaths. 10x more cops are needed to stop this. New Motor Vehicle Act hasn't been implemented
— Anurag Shriniwas (@anuragshriniwas) February 21, 2020
We can’t expect much from bikers who protest when helmet use is made compulsory in their city. No helmet, riding on the footpath and smiling shamelessly. Basic sense and responsibility is nowhere to be seen 🙏
— Mr Arora (@trance_is_lif3) February 21, 2020
https://twitter.com/sandeep_phadke/status/1230838835443044352?s=20
Our country is full of indiscipline and uncivilized people and we expect everything to be done and corrected by government and their institution. No civic sense at all.
— Somkant Mishra (@SomkantMishra) February 21, 2020
Shame on these people! Sad that poor woman has to come on the road to give them a lesson or two! Insanity
— Havovi (@Havovi9) February 22, 2020
This is what it’s come to ….. senior citizens controlling these unlawful worms, this is just so screwed up in so many ways. And to top that, she’s so polite with them, where as she shd be rightfully slapping them as a grandma! Shameful, some are smiling!!
— NK (@NaraayanKannan) February 21, 2020
Some people also shared similar experiences from their cities:
Sharing this. A Clip from #Delhi I shot a couple of years ago for the very same reason. And the violation is now very common. @DelhiPolice @dtptraffic pic.twitter.com/oX9FYJ5UQ7
— iamgunti (@iamgunti) February 21, 2020
This happens in Kerala too. Those people just honk at you even in footpaths and some get annoyed if we don't make way! 😑
— 🌼Bindiaa🌼 (@_bindiaa) February 21, 2020
This is very common scene everywhere in Mumbai, I have fought with many bikers who ride on footpaths when confronted they fight with us.These people lacks civility & don't deserve sympathy. These people talk against other issues which affects them but never correct themselves.
— Topic2day (@Topic2day2) February 21, 2020
While we applaud the woman’s dedication and determination, it is sad to see people disobeying the law like this. We hope people learn a lesson or two from the elderly woman’s brave act.