The Hindu : All set for `night domination'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 12, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

All set for `night domination'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JAN. 11. The police are all set to launch a special drive aimed at nighttime enforcement of traffic norms in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts.

The DIG (Thiruvananthapuram Range), Arun Kumar Sinha, told that the `night domination' drive would also focus on curbing anti-social activities and illicit spirit smuggling. The drive would be launched on January 15, he said.

As a prelude to the drive, policemen, including traffic constables, are being equipped with reflective jackets and illuminated batons. The Flying Squads and Highway Patrols have been issued new blue, red and white revolving beacons for higher visibility and illumination. The patrol vehicles are also being equipped with searchlights to help comb areas without lighting and for aiding accident rescue.

With Sabarimala season on, there has been a spurt of accidents in the three districts. Officials said that though only very few accidents have resulted in loss off life, they are taking no chances. Most of the vehicles carrying pilgrims to Sabarimala are equipped with yellow tinted headlights and fog lamps that are meant to be used only in misty and low visibility conditions. However, it is seen that the lights are used in urban areas and on highways as well.

Tinted headlights and illuminated registration plates are violative of the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Rules. Another `illegal' trend noticed was the equipping of vehicles with an array of small but powerful lights above the fender.

A study by the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) had pointed out that 25 per cent of the accidents are reported at night when the traffic flow is low compared to daytime. Temporary blindness caused due to powerful headlights was identified as one of the main accident causes. The police are also examining whether there should be a reasonable restriction on the brilliance of headlight lamps.

In the three districts, the police would also conduct accident black spot studies. "Ill-lit junctions, medians and traffic islands without cat's eye reflectors and speed breakers which are not highlighted by reflective white paint would be brought to the attention of civic authorities," an official said.

In several accident cases at night, it has been found that one of the vehicles involved in the accident had only a single headlight in working order. The negligence on the part of drivers to dip headlights and drunken driving were also reasons for accidents.

The police said that one-way violations were common during the night. "There is a belief that one-way regulations do not apply after 8 p.m. The Kerala Motor Vehicle Rules explicitly lays down that one-way regulations are round the clock unless and otherwise specified so."

It was also seen that a number of accidents involving mini-vans carrying perishable goods occurred during early morning hours.

The Traffic police have also expressed reservations about the use of car audio systems equipped with "boom-boxes" or powered sub-woofers that accentuates the bass. Speedsters who take to the city roads at night would be booked, an official said.

On the crime front, the `night domination' drive would be characterised by intensive combing operations and checking the houses of habitual offenders. The police would also keep a tab on "history-sheeters, known depredators and rowdies," an official said.

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