TIRUCHY: Despite police efforts, rash driving continues unabated on several busy roads in the city, posing a threat to road users pedestrians. People living on the streets have urged authorities to strictly enforce speed limits, install boards warning road users and take stringent action on violators.
Tiruchy has witnessed a surge in vehicles in recent years. Hotspots of rash driving include Shastri Road, Students Road, Lawsons Road, Reynolds Road, Bharathidasan Road, Cauvery Bridge, Collector Office Road, and Pudukkottai Road. Many of them lack adequate speed-breakers.
Sources in city police said over 30 traffic personnel are deployed at signals and busy areas. Further, they register around 190 cases against violators each month. However, the measures have not yielded results.
Minor and non-fatal accidents are reported almost on a daily basis. In the past six months, the city witneesed over 25 fatal accidents and 76 non-fatal accidents. Road safety activists say the speed limit in the city is 20-40 km/hr, but most motorists don't stick to it.
"The situation is alarming. Drivers, especially youngsters, often exceed the speed limit, putting lives at risk," said V Ramesh, a resident of Anna Nagar.
He added that many youngsters engage in rash driving with loud silencers on Students Road, Shastri Road and Bharathidasan Road. "This happens regularly. Immediate measures should be taken to prevent such reckless driving and enforce traffic rules."
S Karthik, a motorist who frequently travels on Students Road, told TNIE, "Three accidents occurred on this road recently, resulting in the deaths of two youths. Most of the vehicles speeding here are four-wheelers, and it feels unsafe for pedestrians and other motorists. Many people walk or rest on the roadside in the evening, so something must be done immediately to prevent further accidents."
Activists are calling for more stringent enforcement measures, including frequent vehicle checks and heavier fines for speeding. They also emphasised the need for visible warning signs, properly marked speed breakers, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure to reduce accidents.
When contacted, a city police officer said, "Most speeding incidents involve youths. We will take measures, including installing speed breakers or placing barricades, to control this. Sometimes motorists fail to notice existing markings, we plan to make these more visible."