JOIN USThe lane discipline drive launched by City traffic police is officially a success, even though a majority of tubular cones put up at prominent junctions to enforce lanes, have been smashed or broken.
Almost all the 2,000 plastic tubular cones which traffic police installed in June have been broken or bent. Many junctions do not have a single cone. A police constable stationed at a major junction on MG Road, where nine of 10 cones have been smashed revealed that “Most of the cones are broken at night by speeding cars and two-wheelers.”
Srinivas, a traffic constable at the Okalipuram junction, blamed indiscipline by motorists for creating traffic jams every day.
“Two-wheelers are the highest violators of the lane. They do not have patience to stand in the line, resulting in blocking of the left turn and causing traffic jam,” he said.
Despite this, however, police continue to claim that the drive is a success as large numbers of violators have been booked.
M A Saleem, Additional Commissioner (Traffic and Security), told Deccan Herald that the special drive, coupled with strict penal action for three months, has created an awareness among motorists. He claimed that the number of non-fatal accidents and congestion on roads have reduced considerably during peak hours.
“In terms of lane discipline, Bangalore does not stand anywhere near Mumbai which is the best in the country. It was unheard of in Bangalore. Now, the City is competing with Chennai, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Kolkata in lane discipline,” he said.
Positive numbers
According to Saleem, as many as 1,26,906 motorists were booked for lane indiscipline in the last three months. Many were penalised using video evidence.
Traffic police often gather data from three sources — enforcement cameras on the roads, digital cameras with policemen, and CCTV footage at various junctions.
The data is transferred to the automation centre at Utility Building after which police study it, generate a notice and send it to violators. But cases are also being booked on the spot.
The first offence attracts a fine of Rs 100. Repeat offenders will pay a penalty of Rs 300. From July to October, the police collected nearly Rs 1.5 crore as fine.
Saleem said the damaged cones will be replaced soon and that the drive will be extended to all major junctions across the City.
The police, however, rejected the idea of replacing the plastic cones with those made from concrete or metal.
“This will add to problems instead of easing traffic. They will increase the number of accidents some of which could turn fatal, particularly at night. Secondly, there will be a huge pile up of vehicles even if a single vehicle breaks down. It is better with plastic cones. They do demarcate the lanes, but pose no threat,” a senior police officer said.
The City traffic police eventually intend to do away with cones. “They are only meant to guide motorists,” Saleem said.