Faulty Speed Breakers a Nightmare for Motorists
Faulty Speed Breakers a Nightmare for Motorists
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It is believed early roads were the animal trails which human counterparts followed. Over a period of time those natural trail took the shape of smooth, paved, roads which in the modern sense mean an unhindered right of way. It is for this reason a road as of now includes bridges, tunnels, junctions, crossings, inter-changes and a whole lot of other supporting structures making travel between destinations easy, convenient and a lot faster.
However as the roads became better, increase in the volume of traffic and commuting speed raised safety concerns. Therefore certain physical constraints such as speed breakers, rumble strips and width restrictions etc had to be introduced at certain locations to ensure orderly movement of traffic and improve safety of road users.
Indian Road Congress (IRC), a premier technical body set up by Govt. of India, incorporated guidelines (IRC: 99-1988) prescribing general conditions, scope and detailed specifications for design, plan of placement, sign postings, markings, maintenance and other issues relating to use of speed breakers for Indian road conditions.
Article 5.1 of the IRC guideline reads : Speed breakers are formed by providing (17m radius) rounded hump of 3.7m width and height of 0.10m (10 cm/4 inch) at the centre for general traffic. The document also mentins Speed Breakers should be so designed that it should not cause damage to the vehicle nor cause excessive discomfort to the driver and passengers while crossing a hump at the preferred speed. Neither should a hump give rise to excessive noise or cause harmful vibrations to the adjoining buildings or affect other residents of the area.
In contrast to IRC guidelines, speed breakers that dot island roads tell a horrible story. One would agree, except a couple of speed breakers on the roads culminating at Goal Ghar crossing, as far as smoothness is concerned, almost all other speed breakers in the town are a motorists nightmare. Situation in rural areas are further worse.
Not only the speed humps are defective in terms of shape, size and placement, important security features such as the retro-reflective warning sign (40 m ahead of speed breaker), marking with yellow and white paints which serve as a visual warning are rarely seen. Poorly lit roads and absence of safety features take motorists by surprise. Non-suspecting motorists encounter these surprise elements (read defective speed breakers) with a large “thud” resulting in damage and discomfort to the vehicle and its occupants. Two wheelers specifically scooters, auto rickshaws and small passenger cars are the worst affected.
There is no disagreement that speed breakers play an important role in controlling vehicular speeds, hence considered a necessity at some of the roads. But failure to design them properly hampers smooth flow of traffic besides posing safety threat for road users.
Let me quote the tragic death of Tamiz Mani (27), son of State Cooperating Minister in TN, who died after his motorbike hit a speed breaker on NSC Bose road near Madras High Court on 25th June, 2012. Thereafter Corporation of Chennai launched a massive survey and found that there were over 400 speed breakers within the city that were badly designed and do not adhere to IRC standards. Those defective speed breakers were therefore redesigned and the unauthorized ones removed forthwith.
Comments
Removal of speedbreakers before VVIP's visit goes on to validate the contention that speedbreakers cause excessive discomfort to the occupants of the vehicle.
It is ironical that damage caused to commoner and his vehicle is not on the agenda.
Thanks Laxman for your inputs.
Simple way to force these authorities is just give a simple notice of contempt of court and give them two months to repair or remove bumps which do not confirm to these specifications or you will report this to Hon. Goa Bench of Bombay High Court.
This should solve the problem. If not you can send a letter petition to Goa Bench to take action.