Vehicles plying the wrong side flash ominous signs

Trichy,jan.15:
The sights of speeding vehicles, both four-wheelers and two-wheelers, plying down on the wrong side of the city roads are not uncommon. The problem seems to be that a section of motorists choose to use the wrong lane even on two-way roads in order to enter side streets much to the chagrin of traffic policemen and public.

In fact, the widened national highways with flyovers cutting through the city limits has helped the public in no small measure to reach their destinations . Initially, compliance with the one-way norms lessened the burden of traffic police. But the flouting of rules on the service roads by irresponsible motorists along the Tiruchi – Chennai, Tiruchi – Madurai and Tiruchi – Thanjavur highways is now causing a nightmare for the police. All that the erring motorists need to do is to take a detour for a kilometre or two and take the ‘U' turn, to prevent the avoidable risk to their own lives and those of fellow road users.

Haphazard parking of vehicles on service lanes is only adding to the problem. For instance, heavy tankers could be found parked on the service road leading to Ponmalai road over bridge from TVS Tollgate and from Mannarpuram junction to TVS Tollgate. Even the vehicles belonging to government departments are no exception. “This only shows the laxity on the part of vehicle users, despite the warning boards put up by the NHAI and erection of barricades by the police,” a cross section of people say.

Karan Singha, IG of Police, Central Zone who is holding additional charge of the City Police Commisioner says he has already instructed the traffic police to check this violation.

Flouting of norms is rampant at the flyovers in Palakkarai and Tennur . Those proceeding to Bheemanagar from Palakkarai take a right turn on the Palakkarai flyover, unmindful of the barricades put up by the police. Vehicles taking sudden ‘U' turn at Marakkadai junction and on the Tennur highway to proceed on the Tennur flyover pose a grave danger to the on coming vehicles. Again the people proceeding to Marakkadai from Tennur via the Tennur flyover suddenly take a right turn at the Ramakrishna theatre junction, whenever traffic policeman is not there.

“It is sad that even educated and senior citizens don't hesitate to jump a signal if a policeman is not manning the junction,” police personnel say, calling for an attitudinal change in the motorists. Consumer organisations, voluntary associations, should take a lead in educating people on the dangers of using wrong side, says Like Ali, a retired private sector officer.
-- News Courtesy= Trichyportal