Change of traffic flow near Garuda Mall catches first-time drivers unawares, often leading to accidents
Arogyadas, a fast-food vendor near Garuda Mall, says every day, at least five accidents take place at the T-junction near the mall where Markham Road meets Commissariat Road. Reason: Many motorists coming from Markham Road are aware that on this particular stretch of Commissariat Road, vehicles move on the right lane instead of left.
While entering Commissariat Road, unsuspecting motorists look to their right to see if any vehicle is coming. But on this stretch, they have to check for incoming traffic on their left. Motorists coming to this stretch of road for the first time get confused with the lane-swap, and this leads to accidents.
Ravi Kumar, an autorickshaw driver, says the stretch is particularly troublesome for car drivers.
With the driver seated on the right side, it is difficult to watch out for traffic coming from the left. He says other than those who are familiar with the road, people are in for a surprise when they approach the stretch.
Even motorists coming from Bangalore Central Mall are surprised by the lane-swap.
According to a motorist, drivers in India are used to entering the left lane and, obviously, they do not expect incoming traffic on the left side. Hence, this stretch could catch a first-timer unawares and cause accidents, particularly because there is no signboard to warn motorists about the change in flow of traffic.
Warning board
There is a board in front of Wesley Church to inform drivers on Markham Road about the change in vehicle flow, but the board is placed such that it does not draw motorists’ attention, thus defeating its very purpose of cautioning the drivers.
MA Saleem, additional commissioner of police (traffic), says the lane-swap was brought into effect one-and-a-half years ago when the BWSSB began work on Magrath Road near Garuda
Mall.
He saysthe traffic police have put up a warning board facing Markham Road, but it may have been removed. Another board would be put up soon, he adds.
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