Violation of rules by lorry drivers adds to congestion

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, MAY 26. Blatant violation of traffic rules by lorry drivers on the city roads is causing concern to other road users. Lorries are found entering the restricted zones in different parts compounding the traffic congestion.

The menace has reached alarming proportions because of laxity in enforcing the rules in most areas. This seems to have emboldened the drivers to speed recklessly. The tell-tale marks of such driving can be seen all over - damaged steel structures erected on the entry of subways, medians and dividers.

For instance, the steel structure that prevents bigger vehicles from entering the Gengu Reddy subway has its posts twisted. It is common to find overloaded lorries moving in the subway despite the presence of traffic police personnel on either side.

Traders in the Elephant Gate and the Waltax Road area allege that lorry drivers park their vehicles haphazardly in the bylanes.

Similarly, residents in the Shenoy Nagar and Aminjikarai are agitated at the indifferent attitude of the police. Lorries are found parked almost in all streets, though the area is classified as a residential one, where truck traffic is restricted.

For the residents of Ayyavoo Naidu Colony in Aminjikarai, the lorry mechanic sheds create the same problem with an added ``noise element.'' The vehicles are parked on the road by the mechanics and work goes on day and night.

According to a transport operator, there is a long pending demand for the creation of a lorry parking terminal on the outskirts. Several big cities have these terminals situated close to them. This would restrict the entry of lorries into the cities.

A traffic planner says the authorities should work out long-term strategies to find a permanent solution. The least the traffic police could do for the time being is to ensure that the constables do not allow lorries during restricted hours. It is common to find these constables lenient to lorry drivers.

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