Transport light point most dangerous intersection

CHANDIGARH: With seven fatal accidents, the transport light point in Sector 26 remained the most dangerous intersection in the city in 2019, as per the traffic police data. The fatalities included five pedestrians and two motorists.

“A lot of traffic from Punjab going towards Haryana and Himachal comes from this light point, making it very busy and dangerous,” said BL Sharma, general secretary of the Chandigarh Transport Association.

Local area councillor Dalip Sharma added, “The entrance to Bapu Dham Colony has made the lightpoint a busy intersection. We had made pedestrian paths here but people don’t always walk on those. The area is also dimly lit at night and we have only recently installed lights.”

Deputy inspector general of police (DIG, traffic) Shashank Anand said that traffic police have recommended to the UT engineering department to

install table top speed breakers, similar to the ones used at the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, to bring down fatalities here.

Punjab traffic advisor Navdeep Asija pointed out how even this year, the Sector 32 roundabout had recorded zero fatalities. “Traffic calming devices are the way forward,” he said.

DAKSHIN MARG MOST DANGEROUS ROAD

Dakshin Marg and Madhya Marg were the most dangerous roads in the city in 2019 with 18 and 14 fatalities respectively.

Around 30% of the total 104 fatalities in the city took place on these two roads and 45% of the total accidents involving twowheelers also happened here.

“These are both major roads where speeding takes place. Traffic calming devices, such as rumble strips and speed breakers are needed,” said Kamal Soi, member, National Road Safety Council. DIG Anand added that by slowly switching from manual challaning to e-challaning, the traffic police were improving the implementation of traffic rules to bring down road fatalities in the city.