The Hindu : Readers' Mail

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 02, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Readers' Mail

Prevent accidents

Sir,--In spite of considerable efforts, we continue to read of tragic road accidents all over the country. They are all the more tragic when young people and people with great promise in life are involved. This is applicable to all parts of the country where lorries and tempos are on a rampage.

It is high time that we thought of practical ideas to prevent road accidents. Some of the suggestions are: Erection of tall reflectors at tricky road turnings and mandatory monitoring of drunken driving. This should be followed up with severe punishments. Although checking blood samples of drivers began in the U.S. and Europe 50 years ago, there is no systematic checking of blood samples of drivers in the country even now.

Music should not be allowed in buses or lorries, as it will distract the driver. Strict observance of speed limits and a clampdown on rash driving are also needed.

The callous neglect of the requirement for dipping headlights is another area that needs attention. No action is taken against those who do not dip their headlights.

--P. R. Krishna Narayanan

Thevara

* * *

Replace Petta bridge

Sir,--The Petta bridge linking Kochi and Thripunithura is very old and narrow. The bridge carries heavy traffic and when two big vehicles pass over the bridge there is no space for pedestrians.

Walking along the bridge has proved to be a grave danger as big vehicles always ignore the pedestrians - women, children and old persons, who are often seen clinging to the railings of the bridge as vehicles pass by. There's no gainsaying that accidents take place out of negligence. Neither Kochi Corporation nor the Thripunithura Municipality has shown interest in solving this bridge problem.

Under these circumstances, the local authorities should take the lead in replacing the bridge with a broader one and providing a platform along the bridge for exclusive use of the pedestrians.

Besides, a traffic policeman should be posted at the bridge to control traffic and to safeguard the pedestrians. Additional bus stops can be created at both ends of the bridge so that people won't have to cross over the bridge.

--Muthulakshmi Chandran

Thripunithura

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