Puducherry police report 2,829 wrong-side driving cases in weeklong campaign

Puducherry police registered 2,829 wrong-side driving cases and 947 unauthorised-parking cases during checks from October 4 to 10. Senior Superintendent of Police for traffic D. Divya gave the figures to The Hindu.

Divya said the special enforcement campaign would continue. The report came amid complaints about violations around the junctions at Rajiv Gandhi Square and Indira Gandhi Square. The figures describe registered traffic cases, rather than crashes or casualties.

At Rajiv Gandhi Square, drivers travelling from East Coast Road towards Kamaraj Salai are supposed to take a left turn. The newspaper reported that some motorists instead use the stretch to make a U-turn towards Gorimedu and Cuddalore Road. Vehicles crossing from two other roads to enter Kamaraj Salai add to the disruption.

The report identified two-wheelers, autorickshaws and small commercial vehicles among the frequent violators. Vehicles entering against the permitted flow complicate passage through signal-controlled junctions and create an additional obstacle for pedestrians crossing near the lights.

Velrampet taxi driver M. Raman told the newspaper that vehicles approaching from an unexpected direction make it harder to judge how to proceed safely. An urban planner interviewed for the report called for consistent enforcement. Divya said police were already conducting checks across the city.