The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Warning signals: do they catch road users’ attention

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Monday, Feb 25, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Warning signals: do they catch road users’ attention

S. Harpal Singh

Caution signboards get a passive and sometimes bored glance from drivers majority of whom are illiterate

Attention please: A typical caution board on NH 7 near Mannur village where work on the four laning project is under progress.

ADILABAD: Seemingly, the warnings and sign boards on roads seem to be at appropriate places in Adilabad district. Yet, the utility factor of these sign boards remains questionable because of the large number of accidents occurring at places that are marked as prone to incidents.

Less time

Also, because the faster vehicles hardly leave ample time for a driver to go through the writing on the boards, only a passive and perhaps a bored glance is what the warnings usually merit.

Add to it the constraint of illiteracy on drivers and we have a perfect situation for bringing in a change in the type of signs.

Road sense

Adilabad Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) A. Srinivas points out that cautions, warnings and signs should be written as per the norms that are based on international standards. “However, it is the road sense of the drivers that makes all the difference. Controlled speed is what is needed on the roads. With speed under control, drivers will have enough time to read the message”, he contended.

Deputy Transport Commissioner Rajeshwar Rao said the warning boards cause awareness among road users. “Hence, the system is useful”, he said.

Mr. Rajeshwar Rao would come out as an optimist when certain questions are taken under consideration. Take for example the warning shown in the photograph.

By the time all the words become legible to a speeding and careless driver in the night, the damage would have been caused.

Danger spot

Passing so close to such a danger spot as is shown, can a driver afford to divert his attention? Will all the drivers understand the meaning of ‘excavation’?

Alerts

Ask a driver for proof of the contention that is not the board but the painted corrugated sheets that have acted as alerts.In this direction, just a bright red danger signal put up at appropriate height for drivers to see from quite some distance will do the work in a better fashion. At least the driver would be alerted much ahead and in all probabilities an accident could be averted.

A danger in any form is nothing but danger and even illiterate drivers seem to recognise this sign used universally to point out danger.

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