757 The road leading to the Durgiana Temple in Amritsar is in a poor condition for the last couple of months and needs immediate repair. Tribune photo How can the city roads be made safe for pedestrians and commuters? Need to curb menace of drunken driving Almost all the roads and footpaths in the city have been encroached upon by vendors, thus leaving no space for pedestrians. As commuters park their vehicles on roads, traffic jams occur often in most parts of the city. A high number of people lose their lives on roads every year because of rash driving, minors at the wheel, drunken driving and using phone while driving. Thus the MC should take steps to remove encroachments to make roads safer for commuters and pedestrians. To ensure compliance of road rules, the traffic police should be deputed to regulate traffic. Rules should be followed in all earnest and fellow road users should be encouraged to do so as well. People should drive slow and should give pedestrians the right of way. Roads should be properly constructed so that traffic moves in a hassle-free manner. The safest roads are found in Sweden, Ireland, Romania and Bulgaria. And best quality roads are found in Switzerland, Netherlands, France, Austria and Portugal. The administration should borrow a leaf or two from these countries to improve the pitiable condition of roads. It is easier to blame the authorities concerned, but how many of us actually follow rules in letter and spirit. We should not drink and drive, should obey the speed limit, should not use cell phone when driving, should ensure that our vehicle is in roadworthy condition, should guard against distractions and should ensure that all vehicle occupants wear seat belts. Besides a more effective and efficient licensing procedure should be adopted to check the violation of basic safety requirements. Roads should be monitored regularly through CCTVs. Introduction or revision of speed limit after scientific assessment of stream speeds in different areas can help improve road safety. Also media should play an active role to make the citizens aware of road safety. Violators should be punished in an exemplary manner if the city roads are to be made safe for commuters and pedestrians.