CP: Use road furniture, watch U-turns to curb accidents
Times of India | 21 November 2024
123 Kolkata: The top brass of Kolkata Police asked the traffic force to come up with localised solutions — from using expert advice and clever use of road furniture to the use of manpower on spots, like schools, busy crossings, or bus stands — to try and cut down on accidents.
The commissioner of police, Manoj Verma, chaired the traffic review meeting on Wednesday when these issues were highlighted. The past two months witnessed a jump in accidents compared to the same time last year, though fatalities remained well in control.
Besides schools, cops have been asked to combat jaywalking and monitor the crossings where U-turns often lead to accidents.
Kolkata Traffic Police has already chosen several intersections to make them more pedestrian-friendly, especially those which are not on major roads but witness a lot of two-wheeler and four-wheeler movements leading to minor accidents. Cops have also asked for additional traffic signals, setting up of speed breakers, and extra illumination.
At Cossipore Road or Harlal Maitra Road in the north, cops have proposed speed retarders. "All of them will be international standard compliant," said an officer. Similarly, on Biren Roy Road (West), a new signalling system has been set up near the Sarsuna police station crossing. Across stretches in Ranikuthi and Behala and Shyampukur area in the north, cops have spoken to civic agencies to try and add more street lights.
Based on assessments made by researchers appointed by Lalbazar, there is evidence that high pedestrian-vehicular volume ratio significantly increase the risk of accidents, said sources who attended the meeting.