Little mistakes on roads, in the streets and at highways, for example, carelessness while walking, crossing, driving or parking pose grave danger to life. What accidents lead to — from serious regrets to serious consequences — need no introduction. It is better that we follow traffic rules for our own safety and for the protection of others.

If one is seeking a shortcut in crossing a road from a corner just because the zebra crossing or the suitable place to cross is a little far away, one may also be seeking a shortcut to Hereafter! The speed with which a car or a truck may turn will result in panic, if not an accident, to a pedestrian crossing from a corner.

It remains vital for our own safety that we cross when the road straightens instead from a curving road, despite this exercise being tedious and time-consuming. Jaywalking or leisure walk in the streets without footpaths may lead to sudden and shocking accidents.

In some localities, the concept of footpaths has been damaged by unlawful extension of bungalow limits to make gardens, or erect fences on public roads. Such people must realise that they are not only violating civil and traffic laws but also endangering the life of pedestrians who have to walk on the road along with speeding vehicles.

School children should walk on such narrowed roads in a straight line rather than walking side by side in order to avoid racing vehicles from behind and from the front!

While it is good for children to be aware of traffic rules and to have road and driving sense, it is important that they drive with a valid driving license for which the minimum age is 18. The reason for waiting so long even when one knows how to drive well lies in better emotional maturity and driving discipline through attaining suitable age.

No matter how disciplined young drivers may be, many have an urge to dangerously speed and screech, and to be hazardously acrobatic with the vehicle!

Over-speeding and overtaking either for fun or for meeting deadlines are not only gross violations of traffic rules but also serious dangers to the life of the drivers, vehicle occupants and innocent pedestrians.

The most tricky and dangerous time is that of yellow light for caution when impulsive drivers may be hurriedly trying to cross before the signal turns red. Worse comes to worst when an adventurous law-breaker attempts to cross in a flash even when the red signal is showing!

Driving blunders with full beam at night, with defective breaks, tyres, indicators and clutches and with deafening horns and smoke-emitting vehicles are not just traffic violations but also potential threats to health and safety.

Furthermore, uncivilised and illegal parking on pavements blocks the path of others vehicles. The level of illegality and indecency in wrong parking is measured only when one himself/herself becomes a victim of it.

Children also create a problem when they block roads by fixing wickets or setting goalposts and playing cricket or football. Such sports on the roads or in the lanes and bye lanes are hazardous for children, pedestrians, traffic and the residents alike. As children cycle around deadly roads and perform one acrobatic act after another on motor bikes, there is hardly any counselling available with regard to traffic law, public morality and personal safety. The earlier the awareness regarding rules of the roads is realised, the better and brighter the safety and security scenario will be.