Growing vehicle density creates many killer roads

THE HINDU
TIRUCHI, December 21, 2015

Growing vehicle density creates many killer roads

R. Rajaram



The number of fatal cases and casualty crossed 100-figure mark in 2015

The death of a police head constable on Chennai Bypass here recently in a road accident is yet another fatal case to have got reported within the city limits this year.

Attached to the Fort Traffic Regulation Wing, the head constable, in his early forties, riding a two-wheeler was on his way to work when a trailer lorry hit him from behind and crushed him to death.

Amid burgeoning vehicle density in the city and mounting violations, the city has been witness to many fatal accidents on different stretches this year. The number of fatal cases and casualties crossed the 100 figure mark in 2015.

A view of the recent accident at Palpannai traffic junction in Tiruchi where a Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation bus overturned.

According to police statistics, the number of fatal cases to have got reported within the city limit till date from January was 122 with the casualty figures being 131.

The only consolation for the police was that the number of fatal cases and the casualty figures have come down till now this year as compared to 2014.

The fatal cases reported in 2014 (January to December) were 168 and in respect of casualties it was 180. Many victims in road accident cases reported in city limits were two-wheeler riders, say the police.

A combination of factors is attributed to accidents that include negligence, rash driving, road rage, and over-speeding.

Police sources say some spots prone to accidents within the city limits include Sanjeevi Nagar, Mannarpuram, ‘Y’ Road, and Palpannai roundabout where vehicular movements are heavy.

Centrally located in the State, Tiruchi has been witness to increasing vehicle density over the years putting pressure on the existing road space.

This definitely calls for some long-term traffic management plan to effectively manage vehicular movements and check accident rate without resorting to cosmetic measures, say city residents.

Parking along the roadside shrinks the space and the absence of pavements along many thoroughfares forces pedestrians to walk on the road exposing them to speeding vehicles.

Constant awareness on disciplined and controlled driving along with strict enforcement of rules and a long-term traffic management plan alone can check the accident rate, says Dr. M.A. Aleem, former Vice Principal of K.A.P. Viswanatham Government Medical College and a city –based neurologist.

There are no proper markings on the speed breakers established along different stretches of the main roads which could cause accidents.

Furthermore, speed-breakers are unscientifically designed causing back breaking experience for the two-wheeler riders, says M. Sekaran, a consumer activist. Wrong-side driving on highways and drunk driving also result in accidents.

Many decisions taken at the periodic Road Safety Council meetings continue to remain unimplemented, says Mr. Sekaran. The corporation, highways, and the police should jointly come out with a traffic management plan keeping in mind the rising number of vehicles to check accidents.

More In: TAMIL NADU | NATIONAL