The Hindu : Kerala News : Traffic violation a cause for concern

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 24, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala

Traffic violation a cause for concern

Tough measures needed to curb traffic violation, writes Biju Govind

Violation of traffic rules in the city has become a cause for growing concern among residents' associations.

The association office-bearers voiced their concern at a meeting organised by the city police last week.

They said the police did not take action against erring motorists and stressed the need to deploy more traffic policemen at junctions and major crossroads.

Many motorists violated parking rules, especially on Mavoor Road, Beach Road and Kannur Road.

The office-bearers highlighted the need for a scientific method for parking. They said motorists did not stop at zebra crossings and also flouted the rules, making it difficult for schoolchildren to cross the roads.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (District Crime Records Bureau) T.F. Xavier, who chaired the meeting, said pedestrians complained about the problems they experienced while crossing Rajaji Road junction, following the installation of the traffic signal. The pedestrians had to cross the road in just 12 seconds. Senior citizens felt that the timing was inadequate and that it should be increased to 20 seconds.

However, senior police officials said shortage of staff had affected traffic management in the city. The post of the lone Circle Inspector of Traffic has been vacant for over a month. Of the two Assistant Commissioners of Police, one is on medical leave and the other is shuttling between Kozhikode and the capital city in connection with his promotion.

The ACP (Crime Detachment) has now been given temporary charge of the traffic.

Earlier, the Sub-Inspectors assisted by two constables from the 14 stations in the city had been manning the traffic along with the personnel from the Traffic Department. They manned the traffic from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. But the system has become defunct, as the police have to attend to regular assignments such as maintaining law and order.

Officials highlighted the need to improve the condition of the existing 83-sq.km. area of roads in the city.

Most of the roads in the central part of the city are narrow and need to be widened. The number of vehicles passing through the seven major junctions, mainly on the Mini-Bypass and Mavoor Road stretch, too has increased manifold in the past few years.

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