5 Road Free From Fatal Accidents
The micro level traffic planning study and the resultant measures initiated have succeeded with five of the 10 arterial roads in the city remaining free from fatal accidents in August, said City Police Commissioner K.C. Mahali on Monday.He was addressing a review meeting organised by the police in association with the heads of various hospitals to review the progress of the programme. Deputy Commissioners of Police S. Rajendran (Law and Order), K.Thondiraj (Crime and Traffic) and P. Nagarajan (Head Quarters), Divisional Engineer, State Highways, K. Vellingiri, Corporation Chief Engineer Ganeshwaran and senior vice-president of the Kovai Medical Center and Hospitals, U.K. Ananda Padmanabhan, took part.
Mr. Mahali said that from January 1 to August 31 this year the city had witnessed 221 fatal accidents of which 111 took place on other Corporation roads. Because of the measures initiated under the Micro level Traffic Planning Study programme, no fatal accidents took place in Kamarajar Road, Marudhamalai Road, Mettupalayam Road, Palghat Road and Sathyamangalam Road in August.
There were two deaths due to fatal accidents in Thadagam Road. In Pollachi Road and L&T Bypass road one death occurred. Tiruchi Road witnessed four deaths. Avanashi Road and other Corporation roads accounted for six deaths each. Fatal accidents on Avanashi Road were due to absence of road median. Mr.Mahali said that the Highways Department had taken up the matter with the Government for a fund of Rs. 4 crore. Earlier, private sponsors used to fund for medians but it was not possible now because of a court order, he said.
Now the focus is on the remaining five arterial roads, the city police with the help of Corporation officials will initiate accident-prevention measures on these roads from September. Giving the break up of accident victims, Mr.Mahali said that eight were cyclists, 37 were other vehicles, 75 were pedestrians, 101 were two-wheeler riders of whom 99 were not wearing helmets. Hence, he stressed the need for motorists wearing helmets. On the Golden Hour Trauma Care, Mr.Mahali said that with the positioning of ambulances at vantage points on city roads, 39 accident victims were rescued and 32 lives were saved. As many as 18 calls were received and ambulances were sent for 11 calls in Auguest.
