Most speed-breakers on city roads are illegal

Rawalpindi : Everyone knows that speed thrills but kills. However, in Rawalpindi, even speed-breakers kill. The problem of illegal speed-breakers in the city is widespread.

“These speed-breakers should have thermoplastic painting and road studs at the approach of the speed-breakers for clear visibility during nights. A signboard indicating ‘Speed-Breaker Ahead’ must be installed at least at a distance of 15 meters before the speed-breakers,” says Ayan Ali.

“Speed-breakers on Pindi roads are illegal. There are thousands of illegal speed-breakers in the city. These speed-breakers should be maintained periodically by applying thermoplastic painting, replacing the broken road studs,” says Sibte Haider.

“Construct speed-breakers in a scientific way, only where there is a need like proximity to schools, hospitals, major shopping junctions, and government offices. Besides, speed-breakers have to be as per specification and standards set down by the city authorities which have fixed the size, height, and width,” adds Haider.

“Speed-breakers have not been designed scientifically nor have been placed strategically. They have become very uncomfortable to drive one’s car or motorcycle because they are just 15ft apart from each other. We just hope suitable action is taken,” says Hamza Ali.

“The biggest headache is the city residents’ tendency to get speed-breakers built. There are illegal speed-breakers on main roads in the city. These speed-breakers do not conform to safety standards and pose a threat to motorists, especially two-wheeler users. These speed-breakers have neither markings nor reflectors to alert an approaching motorist,” says Anwar Abbas.

“There is no record of the number of accidents that take place owing to unscientific speed-breakers. However, people know that many accidents do take place because of these unscientific structures,” says Mustafa Hussain.

“As a motorist who has to deal with unscientific speed-breakers every day, I believe they can prove to be fatal. Unscientific speed-breakers do pose a threat to motorists. The concerned department should soon start removing illegal speed-breakers,” says Shafqat Ali. “The lack of streetlights compounds the problem posed by these illegal speed-breakers. If there is a speed-breaker, the probability is high that a speeding vehicle will meet an accident there at night,” says Zain Abbas. “If the issue of dangerous speed-breakers has assumed a dangerous proportion, it is because people get speed-breakers built near their areas by themselves, without even consulting the authorities to ensure whether the speed-breaker is safe or not,” says Ayman Hasan.