Chaos reigns at Reynolds Road intersection in Tiruchi as drivers throw caution to the wind

Unregulated movement of vehicles near Reynolds Road intersection in Tiruchi causes chaos during peak hours.
| Photo Credit: M. MOORTHY

Over-speeding vehicles and chaotic traffic near the Reynolds Road intersection and the roundabout on Major Saravanan Road in Tiruchi pose a safety threat to road users.

The roundabout is an important intersection interlinking Collector Office Road, Reynolds Road, and Major Saravanan Road. As the arterial roads lead to educational institutions, hostels, places of worship and commercial establishments, it witnesses heavy vehicular movement. The road near the roundabout has shrunken due to encroachments, leaving little room for motorable space.

At the junction – both near the signal and the Reynolds Road intersection – some vehicles moving on the extreme right change lanes, blind-siding the two-wheelers behind, which is a major cause of accidents.

Over-speeding, negligence, and signal jumping are frequent on the stretch. People approaching from Collector Office Road tend to jump signals. Four-wheelers taking U-turns at the Reynolds Road intersection cause frequent traffic hold ups.

“Negligence is a major cause of accidents, especially during peak hours. Several minor accidents don’t go into the records as complaints are not filed,” said L. Prabhaharan, a motorist.

Motorists and pedestrians have been at the receiving end of rash driving by private bus drivers.

Following complaints from road safety activists and road users, speed breakers were installed on Major Saravanan Road near the intersection to regulate vehicular movement. Despite the measures, the stretch is prone to traffic snarls.

Considering the sharp increase in the number of vehicles accessing the area, road users say the traffic police should employ an effective traffic management plan to regulate the flow of vehicles.

“Strict action should be taken against over-speeding buses and other traffic violations. The authorities should take steps to remove encroachments and regulate roadside parking to ensure free vehicular movement,” said P. Ayyarappan, a road safety activist.

A senior official of Tiruchi City Traffic Police said efforts were on to regulate traffic and check violations in the area.