Rash driving and overtaking are rampant at two intersections, one linking Velachery Main Road with Mambakkam Main Road and the other, Velachery Main Road with Perumbakkam Main Road.
It’s tempting to blame the motorists for the situation at these points marked by high density of vehicular traffic, but the unruly road behaviour is only a symptom of a big problem. The traffic signals at these intersections are not functioning.
“As the road is wider, the lack of functional signals at the intersections encourages the motorists to drive rashly without any concern for their safety or for that of others,” a few vehicle users said.
“The chance of fatal accidents occurring at these intersections is high, if the authorities concerned do not take immediate steps. It is a common sight to see motorists crossing them unmindful of the approaching vehicular traffic. Motorists and other vehicle users must be alert all the time,” they added.
Vehicles proceeding towards Sholinganallur from Medavakkam and from Velachery towards Tambaram come in the opposite direction forcing motorists of vehicles proceeding towards Velachery to slam their brakes.
At the intersections of Velachery Main Road and Mambakkam Main Road, vehicles coming from Agaramthen, Ponmar and Mambakkam Rice Mill, and going towards Santoshpuram, have to deal with two huge craters at the intersection.
Speeding motorists (from Camp Road and Velachery) do not stop or slow down near the intersection, instead take a sudden left while proceeding towards Mambakkam.
Due to such irresponsible behaviour by motorists, pedestrians are at the risk of being fatally knocked down.
“Nothing can be done to end such traffic problems unless there is a change in the attitude of road users,” R. Ramya Srinivasan, a college-student said.
