Traffic block caused by vehicles lined up on multiple lanes to take a right turn or a ‘U’ turn is a common scene in the city.
To tackle the menace, Coimbatore City Police have introduced the use of traffic cones at main junctions on the busy Avinashi Road to create a dedicated lane lying close to the median for smooth movement of vehicles that need to take a right turn or a 'U' turn.
The arrangement prevents motorists from blocking other lanes while waiting to take a right turn or a 'U' turn.
According to traffic police personnel, the arrangement was made at important junctions from Uppilipalayam to airport junction during peak hours in the morning and evening from Wednesday.
In the morning, traffic cones will be placed from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. after which traffic police personnel on duty at the junction will remove them.
The cones will be placed again at 4.30 p.m. and remain up to 6.30 p.m.
A senior police officer said that the arrangement was being tested on Avinashi Road based on instructions from City Police Commissioner Sumit Sharan.
“Traffic cones separating the lane lying close to the median means that vehicles to take a right turn or a U turn should choose the lane and wait for the signal. This helps to keep other lanes open for free movement,” said the officer.
The officer added that cluttering of vehicles on multiple lanes at junctions to take right turn was minimal when the lane divider was tested for two days.
K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, said there should be no obstacle on highway roads. If the road users should be cautioned or instructed, the indications should be on boards placed on the roadside or reflective paints should be used.
The Indian Road Congress norms should be followed for such purposes. Obstacles on the highway stretches will only lead to accidents as a driver will not be expecting it. If it is a single lane road with two way traffic, then barricades or objects can be placed to regulate traffic to a single lane. On six-lane roads, there should not be any obstacle.
An official of the State Highways Department said the police need not get permission from the department to place lane dividers on highway roads as they are doing so only to regulate traffic. However, he said he was not aware if there are norms against placing the dividers on highway roads.
