Cops distribute reflective sticks to devotees on padayatra

Trichy: A week after a woman devotee on pilgrimage by foot to Samayapuram Mariamman temple was fatally knocked down by a speeding car on Trichy-Madurai NH, Trichy city police launched a novel initiative of providing reflective sticks to devotees walking towards the temple. Around 225 reflective sticks were distributed to groups of devotees walking along Trichy-Chennai national highway passing through the city, and they were sensitized on safe pilgrimage.
Police said they used the road safety fund to procure sticks made of paper pulp, and affixed reflective stickers in red, yellow, and green on them. These sticks can be hand-held while walking on highways during odd hours. Similar to those stuck on safety barricades and rear parts of heavy vehicles, the stickers reflect a portion of light back to the source, such as headlights. Hence, drivers will be cautioned about the movement of people in groups. Trichy city traffic police inspector N Navukkarasu said that a group of 5-10 pedestrians were given up to three reflective sticks each. "The sticks were given to the person leading, trailing and at the centre of the group. We don't have a collection point for now, so the pedestrians can take the stick and use it for next pilgrimages," the inspector told TOI.
On Tuesday early morning, city traffic police distributed the sticks at Sanjeevi Nagar junction on Trichy-Chennai NH. Based on the utility, police plan to repeat the drive during pilgrimage seasons for Velankanni church and Palani temple. Police said that 10pm to 5am is the vulnerable period. "We advised devotees to walk on the opposite side of the carriageway wherever dedicated pavements are not available. Most deaths reported were due to drivers dozing off at the wheel and ramming pedestrians from behind," Navukkarasu added.