After repeated instances of pedestrians being hit while crossing Avinashi Road near Kovai Medical Centre and Hospitals (KMCH), ‘accident zone’ board has been installed asking pedestrians to cross the road only on zebra line marked areas.
As the zebra line is marked in front of the main gate of the hospital where ‘U-turn’ facility permitted only for ambulances, most of the pedestrians choose to cross the road in front of the second gate of the hospital. The police said that various alternative initiatives are being taken to reduce accidents at the spot. The police have now placed warning boards on centre median asking motorists to stick to a maximum speed of 50 kmph on the stretch.
These boards have been placed from Sitra to the accident-prone zone and further till Goldwins, where there is a provision for ‘U-turn’.
Another board has been placed in front of the main gate of KMCH asking motorists not to make ‘U-turn’ in the divider-free area as chances are high for speeding vehicles to hit those taking ‘U’ turns.
Ambulances permitted
However, ambulances have been permitted to use the median free area for ‘U’ turns and entry to hospital while coming from Chinniyampalayam side.
Meanwhile, those living in the area felt that the police should have closed the pedestrian crossing option in front of the second gate of the hospital instead of erecting a small warning board.
On July 6, a 39-year-old woman from Tirupur, who had come to treatment at KCMCH, was killed after rammed by a speeding motorcycle. Three others were also injured. Another woman was hit by a speeding motorcycle at the spot a few days later. The police had earlier held discussions with the management of KMCH on the possibilities of setting up a skywalk at the spot for the safety of pedestrians.