Decline of fatal accidents in the city
Read this encouraging report in the Hindu today. Apparently, the number of deaths due to accidents on the roads in 2005 has come down slightly. However, on the not so encouraging side, Bangalore was second only to Delhi in the numbers, despite the difference in population.
Last year, 1703 deaths were reported on Delhi’s roads as compared to 704 in Bangalore. While Delhi has 42 lakh vehicles, Bangalore stood at 24.8. Of course, the numbers rise with hundreds of vehicles getting registered every day.
The one thing I’ve noticed on Bangalore’s roads is the lack of patience. I guess people have had enough. But then honking like it’s going out of style is not really going to help clear the traffic. However, drivers don’t tend to realize this and use their horns like they just can’t have enough of it.
The other thing is the lack of pedestrian crossings and footpaths (which are mostly used by two-wheelers anyway!). Have you folks ever tried crossing the signal at Koramangala right in front of Forum? How can you blame pedestrians for rushing out into the traffic? It is almost impossible to cross that small stretch during peak hour because there is an almost continous flow of traffic. When, where and how are people supposed to cross the road?
Many a time I’ve also come across large vehicles (even trucks) driving on one-way thoroughfares at incredible speeds in the opposite directions. This happened to me the other way when I was turning right at the Silk Board direction and a truck was driving right at me on the wrong side of the road. He of course, didn’t think he was doing anything wrong. So I had to give way, not him! It was only about 11 pm at night.
The scarier part will of course be if the whole Metro project gets into full steam. I was telling a friend the other day that we will probably have to start the night before to get anywhere. And to think that if a flyover can take six years to build in Bangalore, how long a Metro rail project will take is anybody’s guess. Bangalore’s traffic woes I guess will continue for a while.
But for those of you on the road (whether you drive or not) please do be careful, don’t give in to road rage, realize that honking doesn’t make the car in front disappear, use your signals, and don’t drive like you’re racing the formula 1.
Maybe the fatalities are lesser, but the accidents are more, I remember reading recently, a signboard of the Traffic Police which quoted that the number of accidents till Jul/Aug ’05 nearly matching the same number through all of ’04.
Bad traffic sense is just one aspect of it. The bigger aspect is our city administrators and cops adamant approach to city/traffic planning as well as their mindsets stuck in the 1950s or earlier. You get to experience it first hand if you happen to travel around the Lifestyle-Garuda Mall area/jns where cops turn OFF the signals and put the entire area – about 6-8 junctions in utter chaos.
Let’s not get too encouraged by the “slight” reduction in the number of deaths. I doubt that means the number of actual (non-fatal) accidents has gone down. I wouldn’t be surprised if the number of such accidents has actually gone up. The accident statistics of Hosur Road alone is scary. Related post: Accident Statistics for Workers of Electronics City. It would be nice if someone – blogger or journo – could do a real analytical report on the accident statistics for Electronic City.
It is unfortunate that the Metro Rail project does not cover Electronic City in the first phase. That would have greatly helped the conditions on Hosur Road. Electronics City is planned for the second phase of the Metro Rail project, but we don’t know how long just the first phase will take.
I have to point out the urge of people to use the wrong side to drive when there is a traffic jam. Do they imagine they are cool or clever?
Well crossing the road is a big problem here…
the auto drives/bus drivers just can wait for a micro second..
The traffic scene on ORR is really bad..i have seen some real horrible accidents on that road..
n ppl are just not ready to follow traffic signals at all..
even if 10 seconds are left for the light to turn green…they’ll start honking like anything
unless and untill people are not fined for breaking the rules, the chaos will remain..
n yes flyovers are taking years to complete..wat about the Metro Rail project.
n the new thing…the elevated road..hosur rd to silk board..will also take ages to complete.
and on top of this there are N number of volvo buses,company buses plying on the roads.
ohh forgot about the call centre cabs…horrible
Some more rantings and these have to be compiled into a list and submitted to the Traffic Police Commissioner.
1. Many drivers always creep over to the wrong side of the road. This shunts the flow of traffic from the opposite side (which is their right direction). Typically when this happens at a signal, the incoming traffic cannot even proceed into the road because of the encroached part! I really hate drivers doing this.
2. 2 wheelers keep criscrossing even in dense traffic making matters worse when the signals open.
3. Trucks should mandatorily drive only on the left side of the road (with ample clearance for pedestrians in absence of pavements). No truck should be allowed to go on arterial roads between 8:30AM and 11AM and again from 5:30PM to 8:30PM.
4. Even buses should travel only on left side of the road. Cars, bikes, autos should travel on right side of the road.
5. Those found breaking any traffic rules should surrender their driving license for a week to the patrolling traffic policeman. This includes even Autorickshaw drivers. Only if they realise the severity of punishment will they be able to understand and appreciate road driving rules.
6. Anybody who finds any rash driving incidence should immediately report the vehicle number to 100 – Police Control Room. (I have done this twice in the past, hopefully action was taken!)
What do you think of the above?
ohh one imp point i missed out..
IN the Silicon Valley/Pothole of India
1. seat belts r not compulsary
2. pollution chk for vehicles nor compulsary
3. one can talk on the cell fone endlessly while driving
4. jumping signals
5. no parking sense
…………………….
“and on top of this there are N number of volvo buses,company buses plying on the roads.
ohh forgot about the call centre cabs…”
i guess the hoity toity riding those shiny cars alone are ok.