Road safety for pedestrians
Dear Sir,
In reference to the report “Official laments roads not being pedestrian-friendly” (Gulf Times, November 18), I would like to appreciate the Traffic Department’s concern while thanking it for taking an initiative in educating expatriates in Qatar on road safety measures.
However, my observation on this issue is a bit different from that of the report. It’s not just the pedestrians walking on the roadside or crossing the roads who are solely responsible for accidents; there are a few other factors which need to be taken into account. Among them are:
l Non-standard footpaths: In most places in Qatar, the footpaths are very narrow and it’s difficult to walk on them. Footpaths should be wide enough to walk. Also, they should ideally have railings to prevent pedestrians straying into roadside.
l Pedestrian crossings: Most roads lack proper and safe crossings. True, some major roads do have them but it is not the general case. For example, the stretch from the Ramada signal to the Ooredoo one (through the Jaidah flyover), there is no designated pedestrian crossing at all. So, in case people want to cross the road in this stretch, how could they do it safely?
Factors like rush-hour traffic, low visibility, speeding, inattentive drivers, indiscriminate use of mobile phones while driving, rude behaviour of motorists and overtaking with speed are also to be blamed for the high accident rate on Qatar’s roads.
The factors mentioned above form part of individual behaviour which is difficult to control. But two things can be implemented by authorities quite easily: safe footpaths and proper crossings at certain distances on all roads.
All developed countries follow the “pedestrians first” rule.
At the same time, I would also like to request all pedestrians to follow all safety rules strictly while walking on roads or crossing them.
Bhushan Kubde, [email protected]
Failure of system
Dear Sir,
The deaths of 13 women after undergoing sterilisation surgery in India recently have come as a huge shock. I agree that “all human values and medical ethics are compromised in a mad race to complete certain targets and receive incentives”, as pointed out by Ramesh G Jethwani (“Sterilisation camp tragedy”,Gulf Times, November 16).
I believe a system failure was behind this tragedy. Many things about the case look suspicious. A proper investigation should reveal the truth.
The tragedy must spur the Indian society to introspect over its health policies.
The cause of deaths, to me, was medical negligence with vicarious liability of the doctor who was conducting the sterilisation camp. But it is convenient to blame the doctor solely in cases like these. The real culprits are hardly touched.
My father, who is a retired doctor, has done many family planning operations in India without any problems. He never received any “privileges” or incentives for conducting the surgeries.
The 13 Indian women were allegedly given tainted antibiotics after undergoing sterilisation surgery. Normally, antibiotics are not given after this surgery at the best centres. Then why were they given to them? Investigations and time will tell.
Incidentally, we, who now work in Qatar, must also recognise and be thankful that we are in a place with top-class medical facilities compared to any other developing country.
Rajeeth Shetty Badur, Doha, (e-mail address supplied)
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