High number of median mishaps

KOCHI: Last year, 28 accidents were reportedly caused due to the unscientifically constructed medians in the city.Public Works Department (PWD) and Kochi Corporation were held responsible for the mishaps.According to top police officials, medians constructed by the PWD officials are built without following safety regulation norms.In the 28 accidents reported, 13 people lost their lives.The median-vehicle accidents mostly occur in night.“The height of the medians is the reason for the rising number of accidents.Demands had been put forth to the Corporation officials to reduce the height of the median, but they have not understood the gravity of the issue,” the police officials said.Another problem is that majority of the roads do not have street lights and reflectors.“The new rule insists that every road should have reflectors.If there are no reflectors on the medians, an overtaking car runs high risk of hitting the median,” said a traffic police official.