Who cares about traffic signals, anyway?

KOCHI: Potholes, open slabs, garbage on footpaths, vehicles trespassing on pedestrians’ space, footpaths leading to open drains... the woes of  pedestrians in Kochi are endless. But the authorities are yet to initiate steps to address the issue.The Indian Road Congress submitted a list of recommendations for ‘Pedestrian Safety’ way back in 1988. But comprehensive and detailed the recommendations may be, they are not legally binding.“It is not a law,” says C T Abraham, project director, National Highway Authority, Kochi. “There are provisions for pedestrian pass and guidelines as well. But many a time these things are defunct because of the lack of awareness of the people on road safety. One will find pedestrians crossing the roads at every other point on the road. And there is no respect for traffic signals.”His thoughts are echoed by the traffic police on duty at Kaloor Junction. “No one will walk the extra mile and cross at the zebra crossing. Everyone wants to cross the road as and when they please. If this is avoided  accidents will come down,” says the police officer. “But the truth is that most of the accidents are caused by vehicle drivers,” he says.According to the figures on traffic accidents in 2010 released by the traffic police, the number of accidents caused due to the fault of drivers is 34,393 while those caused by pedestrians stands at 21.“If there are well-maintained footpaths then pedestrians will not walk on the road,” says Sathish C M, an autorickshaw  driver from Tripunithura.