Be cautious, don’t speed: CM appeals to residents

NEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday appealed to people not to speed while driving and be cautious while clicking selfies on the Signature Bridge. Kejriwal’s appeal came after three people lost their lives in two separate accidents on approach roads to the bridge in the last two days and after reports of people hanging precariously to take selfies.

Experts said rash driving and the lack of “speed calming” meas- ures such as rumble strips and speed breakers were among the main reasons for the accidents.

The traffic department said they had written to the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), which constructed the bridge, on November 13 to take such measures.

“I am extremely concerned about the accidents on Signature Bridge. It is the pride of Delhi. It is my appeal to everyone, especially the youth, to be careful while clicking selfies and do not drive vehicles at a high speed. Your life is precious to the country and for your family,” Kejriwal said in a tweet on Saturday morning.

Sewa Ram, professor of transport planning at the School of Planning and Architecture, said other than rash driving, the absence of speed-curbing measures was another reason behind the accidents.

Ram said these accidents took place during off-peak hours, which clearly indicate people speed whenever they get wide and empty roads. “There is a need to reduce speed, which can be done by constructing rumble strips and speed-breakers. The traffic police can opt for alternative measures such as providing motorists less space to move during off-peak hours,” Ram said.

Traffic officials said they had been making efforts to make the bridge safer. Around a dozen traffic cops had been deployed at the bridgeto assist commuters and penalise violators.

“On November 13, we had written to DTTDC to take speed-calming measures and install precautionary signages, including speed limit signs, at the bridge. We had asked them to stick florescent light strips at curves for better visibility at night but this is yet to be done,” joint commissioner of police (traffic) Alok Kumar said.

In response, a DTTDC official, on the condition of anonymity, said work on rumble strips and sign boards would be completed within a few days.

The opposition BJP demanded a safety audit and blamed the government for “ignoring” road safety standards. Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari had on Friday accused the government of “overlookingthe safety standards at the bridge.