‘Traffic discipline must be strictly enforced, followed’

‘Traffic discipline must be strictly enforced, followed’
Being a proud Bangalorean and having driven on Bangalore roads, I feel that much more could be done by enforcing traffic discipline than by merely improving the infrastructure. What is the use of good infrastructure if its users do not know how to share it?

As short term measures, traffic discipline must be strictly enforced. A few roads in CBD areas should be made into ‘zero tolerance zones’ and every road user must follow lane discipline. Also, over-speeding, under-speeding, parking, honking and high beam lights should not be allowed.

Jay walking must be checked, and vehicles should yield to pedestrians at zebra crossing. There should be no littering, vehicles spewing dirt like garbage carriers and sand/ brick/cement lorries must be prohibited. The Traffic Police can also train volunteers or unemployed youth on traffic management to supplement the force. As a long term measure, media can be used to spread traffic awareness. Traffic discipline should be made a compulsory subject in highschools. Computerised tracking of traffic offences, automated signals, synchronised signals for optimum vehicle flow should be implemented. Public private partnership should be encouraged.

Ramesh H P

USA, (via email)

Collecting toll

The only way to control traffic jams is to impose a toll on major roads. The toll should be levied throughout the day and should be increased during peak hours. Accordingly, all vehicles should be given toll cards and exits/entrances should have card readers to automatically deduct the charge from the prepaid cards of these vehicle owners (this technology is used in Singapore). Bus services should be increased so that people do not complain about having to rely on inefficient/infrequent public transport. Introducing this model in areas like BTM, Koramangala and Airport Roads will encourage the use of office-provided transport or government-run services. Even taxis and auto-rickshaws should have tolls.

Chetan

Glasgow, Scotland , United Kingdom, (via email)

Follow rules

The traffic snarls in CBD areas are not because of too many vehicles, but because of people. If everyone follows traffic rules, that in itself is a solution.

Simple rules like keeping to the left, not jumping traffic signals, and staying behind one another seems to have been forgotten. Serve embarrassing punishments like kneeling down in public, so that people feel a sense of shame when they break traffic rules. If basic traffic rules are not followed, creation of infrastructure will be a futile attempt.

Mathew Manohar

R S Palya

CENTRAL CHAOS

Bangalore’s central business district stares at imminent saturation, as shopper rush and traffic snarls redefine chaos on M G Road, Brigade Road and Commercial Street. While stakeholders pursue quick-fix alternatives, long-term solutions continue to be elusive. Deccan Herald brings to you a series on the issues that plague the commercial hub of your City. Have your say. If you have suggestions to decongest these three roads, write in your concerns/suggestions to the Editor, Deccan Herald, 75 M G Road, Bangalore — 560 001 or email: editor@deccanherald.co.in