மழைக்காலம் தொடங்கிவிட்டது. குண்டும் குழியுமான, மழைநீர் தேங்கியுள்ள சாலைகளில் அதிவேகமாக செல்லும் வாகன ஓட்டிகள், விபத்துக்குளாகாமல் எவ்வாறு கவனத்துடன் பாதுகாப்பாக செயல்பட வேண்டுமென்று சி.ஏ.ஜி ஆராய்ச்சியாளர் மதுமதி விளக்குகிறார்.
A timely reminder for all motorists of the risks of driving in rainy conditions. Madhumati, CAG. writes about how flooded roads create new driving risks and hide existing ones such as potholes.
Foot over-bridges (FOBs) are a poor option to help pedestrians safely cross a road. Women feel unsafe using them; people with disabilities cannot use them at all; and even the average pedestrian finds the extra walk tedious. Sumana, CAG, explains that at-grade pedestrian crossings are needed every 200 metres as per IRC Guidelines, along with a fundamental shift in the attitude of motorists towards vulnerable road users.
Mala Balaji, CAG writes about why systemic transformation and individual changes need to come together, if we are to come out winning, in our battle against climate change. This article highlights commendable practices and looks at areas needing improvement in fostering sustainability.
Despite noteworthy efforts by the government (such as through the Meendum Manjappai campaign) to reduce the use of single-use plastics, they stubbornly remain in our lives. Sumana, CAG, explains that this is a problem that must be addressed at the source - with the production of plastic and plastic products itself.
Sumana, CAG talks about the recent efforts of the Chennai police to enforce speed limits within the city. With a CAG audit showing that over 85% of two-wheelers were travelling over permissible speed limits and with Chennai holding the spot for the second highest number of road fatalities, curtailing speed to prioritise the safety of all road users, especially vulnerable road users, should not be a difficult decision to make.
As the Karnataka government rolls out a free bus scheme for women, Sumana, CAG explains why such a scheme is good for women, their families in particular and the society at large. Typically, when women save money in any manner, they recycle it back into their families, for example, investing it in their children and their education.
Improving Chennai's public transport will be an integral part of making the city, climate resilient. With commuters facing long waits for their bus while sitting on hot, metal seats or under leaky-roof bus shelters, Sumana, CAG, explains that increasing the frequency of buses is central to solving these problems. This then needs to be followed up by other climate resilient measures that improve waiting conditions, last mile connectivity etc.
Sumana, CAG explains that to keep pedestrians safe, we need a fundamental shift in attitude towards them. For as long as riders/drivers continue viewing pedestrians as second class citizens, their safety remains at risk. This needs policy makers to hear pedestrian voices and include them actively in road design meetings.
Sumana, CAG, commenting on how share autos support first and last mile connectivity, says that the government needs to have conversations with both drivers and commuters to understand needs from both sides. She adds that the first priority, however, should be to legalise them by giving them the right permits.