Cops present or not, motorists ignore red at will

LACK of effective monitoring systems and lax enforcement by police has emboldened several motorists to zip across even on arterial roads in the city showing scant regard for traffic rules and safety of other road users.

- P THIRUSELVAM @Tiruchy

The city has 13 traffic signals including at Sanjeev Nagar on the Chennai Bypass road and bustling intersections like Palpannai, Sanjeev Nagar, Mambalasalai, Odathurai Road, Karur bypass road, Headpost office, KT Theatre, Puthur, Vestry school and Mannarpuram.

But it is common to see motorists, especially two-wheeler riders, jumping the red light, even during peak hours. However, drivers of government and private buses are habitual violators. The situation worsens when traffic personnel are often absent at some junctions.

According to sources in the police department, only traffic and law-and-order police impose fines manually for signal violations. CCTV cameras installed at the signals are being used only to detect helmetless riders and seat belt violations.