Airport Road at Lawspet turns chaotic with bus drivers, bike riders flouting traffic rules

Reckless driving by two-wheelers and private buses on Airport Road in Puducherry poses danger to commuters and students.

Rash and negligent driving by two-wheeler riders and drivers of private buses continues to endanger lives of road users on the Airport Road at Lawspet in Puducherry.

The Airport Road, flanked by several schools, kindergartens and other educational institutions, has become a nightmare for commuters because of reckless driving by private bus drivers and two-wheeler riders.

Bus drivers flout all rules on the narrow stretch even during school hours endangering the life of children and those taking their wards to the educational institutions. Rampant violations by youngsters on high-end motorbikes also pose threat to other road users, including pedestrians. Several accidents, including fatal ones have occurred on the stretch, residents say.

In a recent accident, a school teacher was thrown off her two-wheeler after an over speeding two-wheeler rider rammed her vehicle on February 1. The teacher was entering the Airport Road on her scooter from Avvai Nagar when the youngster lost control and hit her vehicle. She sustained head injury in the accident and has managed to start going to school only from a few days ago.

Shajimon, a resident of Avvai Nagar, said vehicle riders flout all rules by over speeding and driving in a reckless manner. “The stretch has witnessed several accidents in the recent times. Drivers don’t slowdown their vehicles even during school hours. Traffic police should immediately intervene to regulate vehicular movement so as to save lives,” he said.

A shopowner said over speeding and reckless driving could be prevented only by ensuring proper deployment of police personnel. The government cannot make excuses on manpower shortage as hundreds of personnel have been recruited in the recent times, he said.

“The administration should consider better road engineering and construction of speed breakers wherever possible on the Airport Road. It is a stretch where several educational institutions are situated and hence adequate strength of traffic police personnel should be posted and fines imposed on those violating traffic rules. Strict enforcement of rules can bring in traffic discipline among vehicle users,” the shopowner added.