The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : New signal points make no difference

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 11, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

New signal points make no difference

Jumping of signals and dearth of traffic personnel continue in city, says P. Oppili.

When new signal points were introduced in Chennai recently, law-abiding road users and motorists expected a big improvement in road discipline and law enforcement. But it was not to be. Jumping of signals and dearth of traffic personnel continue to dog junctions. Timer-attached signals were installed at 56 intersections. But owing to poor enforcement, timings not in tune with the traffic flow and operation of signals even during late night hours left road users a confused lot. The result: violations galore at various intersections.

For instance, motorists passing through Wallajah Road from Anna Salai must cross the signal near the Triplicane police station. Be it day, noon, evening or night, the signal is given scant regard by motorists. At this point, none of the vehicles stop even when the signal turns red for vehicles heading towards Kamarajar Salai from Anna Salai.

A motorist complained that a two-wheeler rider obeying the red signal would do so only at his own risk, as MTC buses heading to Anna Square never stop at this junction even when the signal turns red. The signal point at Vivekanandar Illam, where two additional signals were introduced, too suffers the same problem.

Signal jumping is a common sight here after 8 p.m. The traffic condition on the long stretch from the Koyambedu junction to Ashok Pillar is dismal. Unlike Poonamallee High Road or Anna Salai, this road has far too many four-road intersections necessitating traffic signals.

That was the reason why road users rejoiced when new signal posts were installed there a few weeks ago.

It did not last long as most of the heavy vehicles began flouting the rules and it is back to square one on the stretch. Small vehicle riders have to necessarily give way or jump the signals to avoid being hit by heavy vehicles tailing them.

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