The Hindu : `Blinking speed-breakers' to prevent accidents

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 22, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Blinking speed-breakers' to prevent accidents

By Our Special Correspondent

Sleek polyethylene mat adorns the Race Course Road near Bangalore Turf Club. At night, the blinkers fixed to the mat make it easy for two-wheeler riders to see them and slow down. — Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

BANGALORE, JAN. 21. Those driving on Race Course Road have been seeing something new this week. They slow down to see a new road hump, "speed breakers" near Bangalore Turf Club.

These speed-breakers have bright yellow and black checks. They are visible from some distance, unlike the conventional road humps, which are almost invisible. Many humps were unusually big and some even cause accidents. The speed-breakers were removed in a concerted action by the traffic police and the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike. Some were replaced with humps of a more uniform dimension while the others were relocated to spots where they were felt more necessary.

These new black and yellow road humps are made of a polyethylene matting and come with blinking lights, which can be activated at night. This is expected to further improve their visibility and prevent accidents. The mats are 1.5 inch thick and are strong enough to bear up to 20 tonnes weight at a time from vehicles passing over them. They are colour-fast and will not need frequent repainting. They can be easily shifted from one spot to another or even to another road quickly.

They are expected to last for seven years depending on the traffic density. Each will cost about Rs. 5,500 per metre, which works out to Rs. 35,000 for installing at any one spot on a road. Those now seen on Racecourse Road have been sponsored by a city-based corporate.

According to a senior traffic police officer, the road humps seen earlier were found not confirming to Indian Road Congress specifications while the new ones are.

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