opinion by SRINIVAS KRISHNAN

Vulnerable users face the highest risk on our roads and account for the maximum fatalities. Yet, they seem to be invisible to everyone who matters. What gives?

- SRINIVAS KRISHNAN

My heart breaks every time a schoolchild lifts her hand to request vehicles to stop to cross the road and get to school. Russian missiles that rain down on hapless Ukrainians without discrimination are lifeless, but a car driver or a bike rider is not-one assumes there is a brain and heart even when they drive a car or ride a bike.

Vulnerable road users in India are at high risk, and they seem to be invisible: to vehicle drivers, traffic policemen manning signals, road planning and urban development authorities, municipalities and governing bodies, policymakers and to politicians.