Kozhikode: Kerala State Human Rights Commission ordered to take police action against pedestrians, who do not follow the rules of zebra crossings or walk on roads without making use of the footpaths. 

Pedestrians crossing roads even when the green signal is on have become a common sight near traffic signals. Some people perceive that they can cross roads via zebra crossings at any time, noted K Baijunath, a judicial member of the commission. 

The report asserted that the people who drive vehicles should give preference to pedestrians. However, the pedestrians are also not behind the drivers in violating the traffic rules, read the report submitted to the Kozhikode city police commissioner. 

The Commission directed action against pedestrians who cross roads using mobile phones. Adequate awareness campaigns have to be organised for nurturing better traffic culture in the state, suggested the commission. 

The human rights commission has issued the report in connection with a suo moto case based on a report regarding traffic rules violations published by Mathrubhumi.

The commission also noted that overspeeding, infringement of traffic rules, impatience and lack of a good traffic culture causes increase in accidents in the state.