Commuting Uneasy on Bengaluru Roads

In February this year, a speeding tanker ran over five persons, killing two and injuring three, thus bringing pedestrian safety to light.

BANGALURU: In February this year, a speeding tanker ran over five persons, killing two and injuring three. Though the accident brought issues on pedestrian safety to light, people continue to fall victim to such incidents.

While the number of injuries to pedestrians in accidents is not clear, on an average, one pedestrian gets killed a day in the city. In 2160 days, since January 2010, 2,149 persons have died, due to various reasons.

There are many factors that pose danger to pedestrians.

Number of Pedestrian Deaths Come Down Among the deaths caused on the roads of the city, 18 per cent of the deceased are pedestrians.

In the past five years, the deaths of pedestrians have come down drastically. 

This year, till November-end, 311 pedestrian casualties were reported in the city, which is marginally less than 2014’s 331.

Police sources say there are many factors causing pedestrian deaths.

 Some of the big problems are footpaths being occupied by parked private vehicles and  street vendors, jay-walking, brief span of time for pedestrians at signals, abandoned pedestrian sub-ways, reckless and over speeding drivers.

ABAnDONED

Subways Subways at junctions such as K R Circle, Raj Bhavan Road, near CBI office and Hebbal lie unused. Though the pedestrian crossing at Majestic is in use, a few persons take short cuts by haphazardly crossing the roads. A major concern on the subways of the city is security and cleanliness.

Vehicles on Footpaths

Many motorists ride on to the footpaths in the city. If not moving, then you find parked vehicles on footpaths near schools, colleges and on commercial streets. Recently, a Jayanagar resident posted over 100 photos on the Bengaluru City Police’s Facebook page showing vehicles parked on footpaths.  Major junctions such as J C Road, Magadi Road, during peak traffic hours are badly affected.

Jaywalkers

As infrastructure has failed to provide a better deal for pedestrians, jaywalking is a frequent phenomenon. BTP has intensified booking of jaywalkers at major junctions of the city. 2,229 jaywalkers were booked in the city this year. Police started cracking down on jaywalkers after a 19-year-old student was mowed down by a bus in the Majestic area.

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