Bus drivers continue to ignore road safety rules in Tirunelveli

Shoppers and other road users in Tirunelveli and Palayamkottai have been left at the mercy of bus drivers, who show scant respect for road safety rules with their rash driving and halt the vehicles at undesignated stops to pick up or drop passengers.

When Tirunelveli City Police revised the scheduled bus stops in the city in 2009, a new one was created beneath the recently built flyover at Vannarpet. At the same time, the bus stop in front of the shop of a popular texrile brand just 150 metres away was scrapped due to the narrow road at the spot. Since a temple was on the platform, along with other encroachments, pedestrians were forced to walk on the road. There were traffic snarls and many were often hit by moving vehicles at the spot.

Hence, after consulting all stakeholders, the police scrapped the bus stop in front of the textile shop for smooth flow of vehicular traffic. However, both government and private buses continue to stop in front of the shop to pick up and drop passengers. Unfortunately, no bus driver has been booked by the police so far for showing scant respect for road safety rules.

Similarly, the halting of buses at unscheduled stops at a few more places such as opposite to SBI’s Palayamkottai Branch, buses from Thoothukudi and Tiruchendur at the turning of Samathanapuram traffic island, in front of the southern entrance of St. Ignatius Convent Higher Secondary School, between Sripuram bus-stop and Schaffter Higher Secondary School and near Tirunelveli Town Arch in Tirunelveli and Palayamkottai cause traffic jam, heated altercations and even minor scuffles at times.

“After a couple from Kallidaikurichi was fatally run over by a speeding private bus and the Collector visited the accident spot, a meeting with TNSTC officials and private bus owners were conducted. We gave them stern warning that road safety rule violations would no more be tolerated. We will look into the issue immediately,” a police official said.