More one-ways, fewer deaths

More one-ways, fewer deaths
Accidents Have Come Down In 2004, Say Traffic Police
Times of India

Bangalore: One-ways may involve going round in circles, and doubling your fuel bill, but they may also have saved some lives. So the police claim, backing their argument with accident statistics.

In Bangalore, over 250 roads are one-ways, and around 60 roads have been turned into one-ways in the last six months. Residency Road and Richmond Road will go one-way from December 11. Even if they don’t really serve the purpose of traffic decongestion, there has been a steady decrease in the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents.

According to a study conducted by the traffic police, for the first time in the last 10 years, the number of accidents and deaths has come down in 2004. Credit should go to the one-way rule, maintains DCP, Traffic (East) M.A. Saleem, who has been labelled ‘One-way’ Saleem by his critics. “The report comes as good news,’’ Saleem told The Times of India.

The police cite examples like the highly congested Ulsoor area, which was turned into a one-way zone this year, to prove that the rule serves the general good.

There are arguments for and against one-ways: at least they keep the traffic moving and it is the last resort, say the police. One-ways only push congestion from one junction to the next, and increase pollution, counter critics.

On Queen’s Road, four fatal accidents were reported up to November 2003 when it was a two-way. The same road was made one-way a few months ago, and accidents have dropped by 50 per cent. Ditto with Nrupathunga Road, Raj Bhavan Road, T. Chowdaiah Road, N.R. Road and K.G. Road, which are one-ways.

ULSOOR: Up to November 2003, 27 people died in separate accidents, 221 sustained severe injuries. Up to November 2004, 16 persons died, 135 were injured. Here, locals had vehemently protested when the one-way rule was introduced.

EAST ZONE: Around 60 roads were made one-ways in 2004 here, comprising central and eastern parts of the city. In 2001, 346 people died, 390 died in 2002, 403 died in 2003. Up to November 2004 (called one-way year), 354 people have died.

WEST ZONE: Comprises south, north and west areas. No road was made one-way. Up to November 2003, 438 people died, up to November 2004, 453 people have died.