In Chennai, the absence of functioning traffic signals after 10 PM at key junctions like Anna Nagar Roundtana, North Usman Road, Avadi, and others has raised significant safety concerns among residents. The decision to switch off these signals during late-night hours, purportedly due to low traffic inflow, has inadvertently led to an increase in rash driving and overspeeding, compromising road safety.
According to a traffic official stationed at Anna Nagar Roundtana, the automated shutdown of signals after 10 PM is a routine measure implemented to align with decreased traffic volumes during these hours. However, the proliferation of eateries and food trucks operating in the vicinity has resulted in a surge of late-night traffic, exacerbating the risks associated with signal deactivation.
One resident highlighted the harrowing experience of narrowly avoiding a collision with overspeeding bikes at Anna Nagar Roundtana junction, underscoring the immediate dangers posed by the absence of operational traffic signals. The discretionary authority vested in police personnel to determine signal activation further compounds the issue, as it diminishes the efficacy of traffic violation monitoring systems linked to signal functionality.
Commenting on the prevailing situation, an official from the Centre of Excellence for Road Safety at RBG Labs, IIT Madras, emphasized the importance of alternative safety measures in the absence of active traffic signals. He outlined the deployment of red and yellow blinkers at most junctions during nighttime, signaling drivers to either stop or proceed with caution. However, he stressed the critical role of driver compliance in adhering to these indicators to mitigate accident risks.
The official further emphasized the necessity for law enforcement agencies to ensure the operational status of traffic violation cameras during nighttime hours, thereby reinforcing adherence to blinker-based traffic regulations. As safety concerns escalate amidst the nocturnal traffic chaos, concerted efforts are imperative to restore order and uphold road safety standards across Chennai’s thoroughfares.
