Car pools to be encouraged

Car pools to be encouraged

The Hindu

Modifications to `Safe Route to School' programme likely

# Traffic management initiatives Lane dividers with thermoplastic lines
# Parking to be regulated strictly
# `Co-ring' road to help drivers avoid central business district
# Instructors of driving schools being trained

BANGALORE: The traffic police are planning to make some modifications to the "Safe Route to School" programme under which private vehicles are not allowed to be parked within 200 m from school gates.

The Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), K.V.R. Tagore, said on Tuesday: "We will encourage car pools among parents of children aged up to seven, and they will be allowed to drop children closer to school gates."

Speaking at a programme organised by the Bangalore Management Association to discuss traffic management in the city, he said that following the introduction of the one-way rule, the number of fatal accidents have come down by 50 per cent. However, the one-way rule encourages drivers to speed, and this creates bottlenecks at junctions. To avoid this, certain roads and important junctions will be widened, he said.

"We want to strictly segregate fast and slower vehicles and will use lane dividers with thermoplastic lines on important roads,'' he said. The rules under the Motor Vehicles Act will be strictly enforced to regulate parking, and the vehicles of those who violate them will be towed away.

"Don't tempt the traffic police officers, they just may be too strict,'' he added.

The outer and inner ring roads are proposed to be supplemented through an intermediate or co-ring road, which will be laid from Trinity Circle through Fraser Town, Dr. Rajkumar Road, Chamarajpet, Jayamahal, to the circle.

The road will be for drivers who wish to avoid the central business district and travel to suburbs.

Only left turns will be allowed on this road; there will be no traffic signals, and this will facilitate smooth traffic, Mr. Tagore said.

Traffic safety will be introduced as a subject of study in schools at all levels. Primary school children will be taught how to cross roads safely. High school students, who are about to take the test for driving licence, will be taught safe and defensive driving. Instructors of driving schools are being trained in phases. "To make all this possible, we need at least Rs. 10 crores from the Government,'' he added.

He said: "The Scouts, Guides and NCC cadets will be increasingly involved in traffic management. We want more volunteers to enrol as traffic wardens. They will be doing a public service and helping the community.

Pedestrians too will have better facilities such as elevated walkways and traffic signals which can be activated by them. "Ultimately, the congestion on the roads can be reduced only if more people use public transport," he added.