No check on motorists driving on wrong side at Dera Bassi

Our Correspondent

Dera Bassi, September 21

Wrong-side driving has become a norm in the city. It is common to see two-wheelers riders and cars drivers flouting traffic rules as take wrong side and put their as well as other commuters’ lives at risk.

The fear of being challaned by the traffic police seems to be slowly waning away among residents in the city, who blatantly violate traffic rules. Bikers are among the most common traffic violators, be it riding without helmets, taking wrong side on the road or triple-riding.

At several major intersections in the city, it does not take much effort to spot vehicles on the wrong side. Lack of enforcement of traffic laws and tardy action against offenders has aggravated problem. As a result, number of traffic violators go scot free.

The situation is worse on the Dera Bassi-Ambala stretch along the flyover. Vehicles moving towards Dera Bassi often move on the wrong side putting lives of other motorists at risk. Drivers of such vehicles cut short their route by avoiding the approach road resulting in traffic snarls during peak hours.

Similarly, Dera Bassi-Barwala intersection is another spot where wrong-side driving has become a menace. Motorists going towards Mubarikpur along the Dera Bassi railway overbridge, near DAV School, drive on the wrong side of this intersection unminduful of the danger.

Vehicles moving on the wrong side can collide with those coming from the Chandigarh side. Youngsters, especially college students, do not care about the traffic rules. Sometimes, violators end-up injuring others.

When contacted, Dera Bassi traffic in-charge Shobha Singh said, “We are penalising violators every now and then for wrong side driving. Traffic police regularly organises seminars at schools to educate students about rules and road safety measures.”