Helmet critics don’t have a case: Expert

Helmet critics don’t have a case: Expert
Deccan Herald

Implementation of the helmet rule may continue to stir up extreme reactions in cities but according to traffic expert Prof M N Sreehari, the critics don’t have a case. “Helmets are a definite must. Records show that close to 60 per cent of accident-related head injuries could be prevented with the use of helmets,” he said on Monday while interacting with reporters on a study done on traffic-related issues plaguing Bangalore.

Prof Sreehari, who is advisor to the Karnataka Government on Traffic pointed at statistics pertaining to Delhi, where helmets had proved instrumental in reducing the fatality/injury rates. He also urged the government to ensure that only ISI-marked helmets were sold in the market and called upon the government to distribute free helmets.

More signals needed


Pointing out that the City had only 265 to 300 traffic signals while the total number of junctions was in the excess of 38,000, Prof Sreehari said more signals were imperative in reducing the accident rates. As damage control measures, he also suggested widened roads, dedicated bus lanes, stringent measures against drunken driving, better medians and lights, pruning of branches of trees on the roads and better traffic signage.

Prof Sreehari also suggested extension of traffic signals in core City areas like M G Road and Commercial Street beyond midnight.

KILLER SPOTS

A study conducted by Traffic Engineers and Safety Trust (TEST), along with the Bangalore City Traffic Police, identified the following 35 junctions in the Bangalore East Traffic Police Division as most prone to accidents involving instantaneous deaths.

Command Hospital (*Airport), Muthu Mariyamma Temple (K R Puram), Love RI School (K R Puram), Ulsoor Bus Stand (Ulsoor), Suranjan Das Road (Indiranagar), Beneganahalli (Indiranagar), Nagawara (Banaswadi), Anepalya (Ashok Nagar), Kudlu Gate (Madiwala), East End Circle (Madiwala), Jala Bhavan (Madiwala), Kalyana Nagar (Frazer Town), Kuvempu Circle (Yeshwanthpur), Gangamma Circle (Yeshwanthpur), Goragunte Palya (Yeshwanthpur), Jalahalli Cross (Yeshwanthpur), 8th Mile (Peenya), Raheja Apartments (Vijayanagar), Magadi Chord Road (Vijayanagar), Kengunte Cross (Byatarayanapura), Kengeri Bus Stand (Byatarayanapura), Arvind Mills (Byatarayanapura), Jnana Bharathi (Byatarayanapura), Sumanahalli (Kamakshi Palya), Lumbini Gardens (Hebbal), Kodigehalli Cross (Hebbal), Amruthhalli (Yelahanka), Hosakerehalli (Banashankari), Pallavi Dhaba (Banashankari), Gubbalala Gate (Banashankari), Fun World (RT Nagar), Amar Hotel Underpass (Upparpet), Khodays Circle (Chickpet), Binny Mills Circle (Chickpet) and City Market (K R Market).

* Traffic Police Station limit