Thiruvananthapuram: The deteriorated condition of several city roads was proving to be hazardous to motorists, particularly two-wheeler riders. In many pot-holed stretches, people have placed plants or red flags to warn motorists.

In other segments, carriageways have not been clearly demarcated, resulting in accidents. One case in point is the road connecting the General Hospital to Pattoor. Several accidents were reported on this stretch recently. The spreading of river sand on tarred roads near venues of public functions and religious festivals was proving to be a traffic safety hazard. The fine sand often caused two-wheelers to skid, resulting in injuries to riders. As part of Onam celebrations, stages were erected on the side of roads in different part of the city. In several places, the organisers had not bothered to remove the sand or fill the holes dug on the road for erecting stages, a traffic police official said.

In several key stretches, arches and advertisement hoardings hinder the sight of motorists. The traffic police said they would prosecute organisations and individuals responsible for such actions that endanger road safety.

Bad road conditions have also contributed to a large number of accidents in the rural areas of the district. In many places, roadside trenches dug up for laying cables have been left uncovered. The mud piled alongside the trenches has proven to be hazardous to motorists.

The piling up of construction material and quarried rock on roadsides has also resulted in night-time accidents, an official said. Most of the suburban roads were in an ill maintained condition, and also with sudden dips and sharp turns. The lack of an efficient public transport system has forced the rural population to rely heavily on mini-vans operating parallel services. Such vehicles were often overloaded and moved at high speeds.

Incorrect overtaking, aggressive driving, driver fatigue, unmarked speed breakers and absence of road signs have also resulted in accidents in the rural district.

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