Eyes on speedometer or road?

September 12, 2013

Alkesh Sharma, TNN

CHANDIGARH: Motorists in Chandigarh are on the horns of a dilemma over the speed limits of the traffic police. They can’t decide if they are supposed to focus on the road ahead or keep checking the speedometer while driving. The problem with the speed limit is that it is completely at odds with modern cars that can easily go up to 70 to 80 km/hr in a very short time. That being the case, city residents want the administration to reconsider the speed limit.

“I own an Audi A-6 and believe me, most of the time, I avoid driving it in the city because it goes beyond 60 km/hr in no time, which is a violation of traffic rules,” said Robin Mehra, a businessman from Sector 23. Most people argued that if they kept checking the speedometer while driving, they would not be able to concentrate

“It is not possible for anyone to glance at the speedometer every 15 to 20 seconds. It is like talking on the mobile phone or typing a text message while driving. It can be dangerous,” said Jatin Pathak, a banker.

Upasana Verma, who works with a PR company, said, “On the one hand, big companies are selling fast cars to city residents and on the other, police are issuing slips for speed violations. There is no logic in this. Since India has a free market, there should be the freedom to drive fast cars.”

In Chandigarh, the speed limit of different vehicles is restricted between 25 km/hr to 60 km/her, depending on the type of road and the make of vehicles. “I think traffic cops should act in a proactive manner. They should first approach car manufacturers and ask them to install speed barriers in vehicles. If it is not possible, they should ask the administration to build special lanes for fast cars. Blind challaning is not a solution,” said Dr Anurag Khosla, a physiotherapist.

Juhi Mitra, an engineering student, said the challaning drive is irrelevant in Chandigarh. “If statistics with the Chandigarh police say no one has been killed due to speeding, then stop challaning people. This issue affects more than 7 lakh motorists and should be taken to a logical end.”

Source-http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com