Wrong-side driving at Puducherry’s key junctions raises safety concern

Driving on the wrong side near the traffic signals at Rajiv Gandhi Square and Indira Gandhi Square in Puducherry has become increasingly common. Motorists flout traffic rules even in the presence of traffic police personnel and put other road-users at risk.

At Rajiv Gandhi Square, motorists proceeding from East Coast Road to Kamaraj Salai have to take a free left turn at the junction. However, vehicles heading to Gorimedu and Cuddalore Road also take a ‘U’ turn at the junction, causing traffic chaos and accidents. The situation turns worse when vehicles from 100-feet Road and Tindivanam Road, too, cross the stretch to enter Kamaraj Salai, motorists complain.

Two-wheeler riders, autorickshaws, and tempos constitute a majority of the violators. They continue violating the rules, posing a risk to themselves as well as other road-users.

Orderly flow undermined

The movement of vehicles on the wrong side of the road undermines the orderly flow expected at signal-controlled intersections. Motorists proceeding in the permitted direction have to contend with vehicles entering their path from an unexpected direction, while pedestrians face an additional challenge while crossing the road near the signals.

“When we approach the signal, we expect vehicles to follow their designated lanes. A vehicle coming in the wrong direction makes it difficult to judge how to proceed safely,” says M. Raman, a cab driver of Velrampet.

“The signals can regulate traffic only when motorists stay on the correct lanes. Those who take the wrong side should not be allowed to put everyone at risk. Wrong-side driving has become so normal that even basic road sense and concern for others’ safety appear to have taken a backseat. Motorists continue to violate the rules even in the presence of police personnel because they believe there will be no consequences,” said an urban planner.

Consistent enforcement

The police must go beyond regulating traffic and ensure consistent enforcement to curb violations. At the same time, motorists must recognise that saving a few minutes cannot justify putting other road-users at risk, he added.

Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic) D. Divya said the police were continuing enforcement drives across the city, penalising motorists for wrong-side driving. During a special drive conducted from October 4 to 10, a total of 2,829 cases were filed for wrong-side driving and 947 cases were booked for unauthorised parking. The special drive would continue, she said.