Thiruvananthapuram police to launch zebra drive

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city police are considering a drive to slap fines on vehicles which stop on zebra-crossing as the violation has become widespread in the city.   In metro cities, the police seize the keys of motorcyclists, pull aside the vehicles and slap fines for zebra-crossing violations. However, the lenient policing style in the capital  involves warning violators to pull back their vehicles from zebra-crossing.

“Till seven years ago, zebra-crossings used to be considered sacrosanct by motorists in Thiruvananthapuram.  The trends have changed and four-wheelers as well as two-wheelers stop on crossings at signals where there are left or right turns,” said a circle inspector. Zebra-crossing violation are high at places like Medical College, East Fort, Karamana, Museum and Killipalam. At some places, zebra-crossing has faded off.

“Presently, there is resentment against the police due to certain media reports (on alleged excesses). So, after a few days we will conduct a special drive to fine those stopping on zebra-crossing. However, it is up to the Kerala Road Fund Board to redraw the zebra-crossing as we have no special funds,” said a  police official. Thiruvananthapuram has around 40,000 junctions manned by a few hundred traffic police officials. For the  past few years, Kerala has recorded  the second highest number of pedestrian deaths after Maharashtra. Last year, 3659 pedestrians lost their lives  in the state.