When violations become the norm

When a traffic violation happens day in day out without check, in the course of time it becomes a norm that even police look the other way to this practice.

For instance, there is no right turn on Theni Road for motorcyclists coming out of SS Colony North Gate. But, all through the day one can see motorcyclists sneaking into the road, against the constant tide of oncoming traffic, along the canal to take Traveller's Bungalow Road or New Jail Road or AA Road. The two-wheeler riders needlessly risk their life and limbs this way, as they can always take the Vellai Pillayarkoil Street and join the TB Road and proceed wherever they want without hassle. All this happens near the Arasaradi signal manned by traffic police personnel.

Nowadays, some people also take a dirt track of a lane behind RM. R. Complex opposite Devaki Scans to join the Arasaradi signal near the defunct Ram Victoria Theatre. But it is a risky ride, more so at night.

Another violation that has become a norm takes place near Periyar bus stand. Motorcyclists and even autorickshaws coming out of RMS Road wait for the green signal meant for vehicles coming from West Veli Street and join them to take Ellis Nagar rail overbridge. The risk is that they not only unsettle those coming from West Veli Street but also those taking a ‘no free left turn’ after coming down the bridge.

Yet another major violation takes place early in the morning and late into the night on the other side of the Vaigai. Vehicles, big or small, coming from Goripalayam sneak into the broad Alagarkoil Road at the tricky junction of Gokhale Road and race against the one-way traffic towards Tallakulam and even past barricades that divide traffic flow opposite Corporation office near Outpost. This practice has become so common that oncoming vehicles give a safe passage to these daredevils.

There are so many other violations that have become commonplace: at the Kalavasal signal, two-wheelers and even share autorickshaws coming from Theni Road sneak into the ‘free left turn’ near the theatre complex but wait on the other side of barricade, blocking moffusil buses going to Arapalayam.