The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Performance of highway patrol teams to be reviewed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 08, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Performance of highway patrol teams to be reviewed

By K.T.Sangameswaran

CHENNAI, APRIL 7. To ensure road safety, the newly formed State Traffic Planning Cell will soon review performance of patrol teams on national highways (NHs). The monitoring of the functioning of the 160 teams is one of the responsibilities of the cell, headed by the Additional Director-General of Police, P.R.Thapa.

In May 1994, the Government sanctioned the `Highway Patrol Force' to prevent crimes and ensure safety of road users, help accident victims and regulate vehicles. Later, 13 traffic aid posts were started to identify accident-prone areas on the NHs.

However, considering the high fatality in accidents, the Government in 2002 merged the highway patrol force and traffic aid posts and linked them to Emergency Accident Relief Centres. The NHs, extending to 3,850 km, were divided into 80 stretches. Eighty patrol vehicles with accessories were pressed into service. Two teams, each working for 12 hours a day, were formed for a vehicle.

The Government in August 2003 ordered the formation of coordination teams comprising officers of the Transport, Highway and Health departments and police personnel to inspect road conditions and to prevent traffic violations. The patrol teams were also entrusted with rescuing accident victims and arranging for medical attention.

50,000 cases booked

Official sources say the patrol teams book 50,000 cases of traffic violations a month. They also make arrangements for rushing accident victims to hospital.

During the review of the patrol teams' performance, violations committed by road users, accidents and causal factors will be analysed.

Though the cell, a long-felt need, has been formed, its presence will be felt only if there is sustained action, says a traffic expert.

Accidents occur because of a variety of factors, including bad roads and poor lighting. Adding to the woes of accident victims is the absence of adequate facilities in government hospitals.

An analysis of the response time of highway patrol teams to emergency calls should be made.

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