Neither steel barricades nor CCTV cameras have deterred motorists from violating traffic rules near the ramps of Kodambakkam flyover. Towards Arcot Road, steel barricades are placed in a single file before the ramps begin.
Motorists, especially those coming from Nungambakkam and T. Nagar, do not pay any attention to these restrictive measures. They take a left turn to reach neighbourhoods situated along the flyover.
As per road safety rules, motorists coming from neighbourhoods situated along the flyover are supposed to use the service lanes to reach Kodambakkam High Road.
Similarly, motorists driving on the flyover and who want to reach interior neighbourhoods situated along the flyover are supposed to take a U-turn on Kodambakkam High Road. The aim of this traffic arrangement is to prevent accidents near the ramps of the flyover.
But these lane rules are flouted, which results in accidents and traffic congestion. To keep check on such violations, Chennai Traffic Police installed CCTV cameras at the ramps of the flyover early this year. Police also increased the number of steel barricades.
However, motorists do not mind driving a little further and taking a left turn to access the neighbourhoods situated along the flyover.
Traffic police personnel are posted near Meenakshi College for Women, which is around 100 metres from the flyover. Yet, motorists violate the road rules by taking a left turn near the flyover.
“Besides violating traffic rules, motorists coming from the flyover tend to drive at a high speed, thereby increasing the risk of collision on the service lanes,” says K. Santhosh, a resident of Kodambakkam. “Those who flout the rules are mostly motorcyclists. Steps will be taken to prevent such violations near the flyover,” say officials in Chennai Traffic Police.