Chennai: The government has been able to successfully impose the compulsory helmet rule thanks to Chennaiites continuing to show that they do follow rules, some for the sheer discipline of it and others for fear of losing money to fines.However, the query that was doing the rounds over social networks was whether implementing the helmet rule alone would provide for a safe ride for two wheeler riders.
Take the case of an accident near the Aquatic complex, Velachery where an oil tanker knocked down a two-wheeler after it hit him from behind. His body went under the wheel of the truck and he died on the spot, despite his wearing a helmet. So how effective is the helmet rule? A huge source of concern for road users is the commercial vehicles which zoom across the city. Lorries and buses, both private and government, create a fear psychosis among the riders, their blaring horns and sudden, unannounced arrivals at junctions being enough to jar the nerves.
Some private vehicles even ply through routes that have a ‘no-heavy vehicles’ board and zip through the wrong way on one-way streets. Motorists express the hope this issue will be addressed soon as heavy vehicles cause a lot of fatalities due to their reckless driving. Another issue bothering many riders is the lack of signals and traffic cops. Despite traffic signals adorning many junctions, many don’t work. In those stretches where the signals do work, the people’s minds do not seem to work for some reason. They always seem to be in a hurry unwilling to wait for even a minute, failing to realise that jumping signals poses a risk not only to them but also to others.
The Guindy-Alandur intersection near the race course is just example of signal trouble. Very rarely is a traffic cop seen there and there’s chaos all the time, with the two-wheelers, buses, and cars trying to overtake each other on the narrow road. Gridlocks occur many times in a day owing to vehicles simultaneously trying to cross the junction. Poor road patchwork and exposed manholes are additional hazards for two wheelers.
The very presence of traffic police at major junctions would see far more discipline from road users. Two wheeler riders are hoping that with the strong presence of policemen to crack down on the helmet rule, there will be greater discipline on the roads.
