Chennai cop turns RJ in busy junction

Chennai: This policeman can give any politician a run for his money with his oratory skills. At Eachangadu junction near Kilkattalai, a traffic cop gives a running commentary on traffic safety citing traffic violations to make the public aware of road safety. This traffic cop has chosen this unconventional way of creating awareness. Tens of thousands of vehicles use this junction at the Medavakkam High Road and Pallavaram-Thuraipakkam radial road intersection.

Every morning, S. Sivakumar, head constable attached to the Madipakkam station sits with his public announcement system and goes on with his marathon sermonic address. He has been doing this for about a year now and regular commuters seem to enjoy his sermons. “Every morning, I make it a point to use the Pallavaram-Thuraipakkam radial road while travelling to my office in Nungambakkam,” says Kiran Chockalingam, a chartered accountant from Old Pallavaram.

Motorists waiting at the signal smirk at the animated exchanges between passengers as a MTC bus passes through and a commuter even waves his hands at the cop as Sivakumar just goes about his business. “All of you use this road regularly. Why the tearing hurry? Imagine the plight of your family members when they get a call from a hospital to inform them of your accident,” Sivakumar goes on assuming the role of an elder.

The next moment, he pulls out stuff from his humour closet. Spotting young motorists at the signal who prefer to protect their petrol tanks with the helmets, Sivakumar comments, “Thambi! Mudi kottidum, hair style kalanjidum nu paakatheenga, helmet pottukoanga,” (Brothers, don’t worry about hair fall or that your hair style will be disturbed, Please wear helmets).

The marathon commentary lasts for about two hours (with the occasional coffee breaks) during which Sivakumar pleads with people to use indicators, follow traffic signals, avoid mobile phones, footboard travel and drunk driving, all the while reminding them about their purpose in life.

The 43-year-old says the idea of using PA system was proposed by deputy commissioner S. Lakshmi a year ago and he jumped at it as he felt it was a better way of educating people on road safety than distributing pamphlets and erecting flex boards in the city. “I was doing it on a smaller scale when I was attached to the Chromepet traffic wing with private sponsors. After I came here, Inspector Jayavelu arranged to get the P.A system,” he says.

Sivakumar is confident that at least 100 people among the tens of thousands who cross the Eechangadu signal would have attempted to follow road safety after hearing him. “I was assigned duty at another signal for a few days. Motorists stopped by and told me they miss my presence there,” he said.