Motorists 'left' confused at crossroads

HYDERABAD: No left turn: traffic signs say at several crossroads in the city. But motorists are not taking note of this as the traffic signals are confusing. As a result free left-turns are still on.
So why are the traffic police preventing motorists from taking left turns without having to wait for the signal at the crossroads?
"The decision to prevent free left turns at junctions was to help pedestrians," explains deputy commissioner of police (traffic) B Shivadhar Reddy.
Though the traffic police have fined about 1,500 people in the last few days for jumping the red signal, few motorists seem to follow the new rule.
A sign put up in front of the Punjagutta traffic police station says left turn should be taken only after the green signal. But a 10-minute observation shows very few waiting for the green at the junction.
On Sunday, motorist G Anand Reddy was stopped after he zipped past the red light. He was shown the new traffic sign. He pleaded ignorance on the new rule.
"I am not aware that we should not take a free left turn. I don''t know when and why it was introduced," he argued.
Officials of the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH), who say they too have a stake in improving the traffic infrastructure, point out that forcing road users not to take a free-left is a bad idea.
"They did not consult us before taking the decision," a Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad official pointed out.
At several junction traffic piles up within seconds, and if the vehicles have to be stopped instead of allowing them to proceed freely in the left direction, it will only add up the congestion.
It will result in more waiting time for vehicles at the signals.
"The authorities should work out alternative plans like building foot overbridges and sub-ways to help pedestrians cross the roads. The new rule only encourage pedestrians cross the roads at will. They should in fact discouraged to cross the roads except at zebra crossings," a senior traffic inspector said.