Unruly Delhi

Believe it or not, Delhiites seem to be turning better drivers at last. According to the traffic police, the first seven months of the year witnessed a 10.4% reduction in the number of fatal accidents, which in real terms translates to 131 fewer deaths on Delhi roads. The ‘‘killer’’ Bluelines too seem to have become more tame as they have been involved in 64 fatal accidents till July 31 this year, as against 87 for the same period in 2007. As the traffic police are evidently becoming more visible on the roads and the fact that they have become mobile on flashy new bikes for the first time since we can recall, the fear of getting challaned anywhere, anytime seems to be growing. As Gautam Pandey, a engineer, puts it: ‘‘Earlier, I would follow traffic rules only at signals. But now the police seem to be all over the place. I have been flagged down by cops on bikes and challaned thrice in the last two weeks for talking on the cellphone or not wearing seat belt.’’