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Tamil Nadu
Rise in number of accidents is causing concern to the police, writes L. Srikrishna 
Commonplace: Passengers travelling on footboard. During the last 40 days alone, at least 11 road accidents were reported in the city involving State-owned buses, say the police. Though awareness campaigns are conducted slogans such as “footboard travel may cost your life” and “do not put your head or arm outside the window in a moving bus” displayed on vehicles, the rise in number of accidents is causing concern to the law enforcing authorities. After schools reopened, the student crowd is unmanageable during peak hours, especially on routes connecting Teppakulam, Anna Nagar, Alagarkoil Road, Palanganatham, Goripalayam, K. K. Nagar and Arasaradi. While a majority of the youth derive a thrill from footboard travel, it is felt, other commuters opine that they have very little option but to choose alternative modes of transport when they see overcrowded buses. According to State Transport Corporation sources, Madurai division has about 650 buses, including 100 that operate on the city’s peripheries. The STC has introduced modern buses that are commuter-friendly, especially for senior citizens. In order to put an end to footboard travel, staggering of bus schedules for different sections is mooted. School timingsFor instance, timings of schools can be uniform, preferably between 7.30 a.m. and 8 a.m. and from 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. This will pave way for more space in buses for office-goers. An Education Department official feels that the STC authorities can consider operating exclusive buses for school children and have them painted in blue, the colour earmarked for all private school buses in the State. The traffic police say that rash driving on the outskirts by some bus drivers results in accidents. A few days ago, a TNSTC bus bound for K. Pudur from Goripalayam drove straight instead of taking a left turn near Ambedkar Statue. As a result, a private bus coming from Natham almost hit it. The joint general secretary of TNSTC Staff Federation, S. Sampath, says that Road Safety Week should be observed once in three months. With a rise in number of commuters in public transport, safe travel in many aspects has become vital. This will be possible only with cooperation from commuters, he adds. A senior official in the TNSTC says that bus drivers alone cannot be blamed for accidents as there is lack of road discipline among other vehicle users. Traffic police are of the view that self-discipline in every road user alone will protect them from fatal accidents.
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