New Delhi, An unusual incident occurred when the Union Road Transport Secretary, Anurag Jain, received three challans for speeding violations on a specific stretch in the capital. Surprisingly, the cause was attributed to the poorly placed speed limit sign, almost hidden behind a tree.
Complaints about inadequate sign placement, often obscured by trees and poles, leading to unexpected challans for vehicle owners are not uncommon in Delhi. Even high-ranking officials like Anurag Jain are not exempt from such experiences.
Jain, while acknowledging that he paid the challans thrice, raised concerns about the visibility of speed signs. He emphasized that the technology treats all commuters equally, underscoring the importance of placing road signs at the right spots to avoid drivers missing them.
Sharing his frustration, Jain explained that he believed the speed limit on that stretch was 60 kmph, and his vehicle was just slightly over at 61 kmph. Ordinarily, this should not have warranted a challan. To address the issue, Jain sent someone to verify the speed limit, and it was confirmed to be 50 kmph. However, the signage was placed in a way that made it visible only when very close, obscured by a tree.
This incident highlights a recurring problem where faulty road signage contributes significantly to traffic jams, accidents, and pile-ups. A study conducted in 2017 revealed that over 70% of road signage in Delhi did not adhere to prescribed norms, further emphasizing the need for proper placement.
The challenges faced by the transport secretary echo those of his predecessor, YS Malik, who previously noted missing a direction signage on the Delhi-Chandigarh highway due to its small size.
Jain’s experience underscores the imperative of addressing the placement of road signs to enhance road safety and prevent unwarranted penalties for drivers.
