Kohima traffic chaos: Whose lane is it anyway?

KOHIMA — Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, is grappling with rampant disregard for lane discipline, particularly evident in the constant conflict between two-wheeler and four-wheeler drivers.

This widespread disregard for traffic regulations is contributing to road rage incidents and, most alarmingly, a surge in accidents.

While drivers often shift blame to each other, the underlying causes run deeper. Space constraints, roadside parking, impatience, traffic congestion, inadequate traffic knowledge, and lax enforcement collectively contribute to the chaotic road conditions.

Alarming rise in road accidents

Reports indicate a concerning upward trend in road-related accidents across Nagaland, with 2023 witnessing the highest number of fatalities in the past five years.

According to Kohima Police, in Kohima district alone, 45 road accidents were reported in the first six months of 2024, resulting in five deaths and 22 injuries. “Self-caused accidents” were responsible for all five fatalities.

The Police data also revealed that vehicle collisions account for over 50 per cent of all accidents in the district.

In terms of traffic violations, “general penalty or disobedience of orders” emerged as the most common offence, followed by overloading of goods vehicles.

Driving uninsured vehicles, not wearing helmets, and obstructing traffic flow are other frequently observed violations, according to Kohima Police.

Disregard for lane driving directives

Meanwhile, despite directives from district authorities for two-wheelers to keep right and other vehicles to keep left, indifference prevails among both drivers and riders.

Earlier this year, the D Block Youth Organisation volunteered to create awareness on lane discipline among drivers and riders in the colony, but it was met with little success.

Despite their five-day awareness campaign, riders and drivers reverted to their old habits as soon as the volunteers left.

Keneizetuo, the organisation’s president, explained that four to five teams, each with two to three youth members, were deployed to different locations within D Block to raise awareness about lane discipline.

He said that drivers and riders only followed lane discipline when the volunteers were physically present.

“But the moment volunteers leave, they would disregard lane discipline. Two-wheelers would start overtaking from the left lane and four-wheelers would not give space on the right lane,” he said.

Despite the volunteers’ repeated pleas for drivers to accommodate safe overtaking, “they would initially listen but go back to the same habit,” forcing two-wheelers to overtake from the left, he maintained.

Keneizetuo observed that both two-wheeler and four-wheeler drivers disregard traffic rules in equal measure. He stressed that lane discipline is crucial, not just for drivers but for pedestrian safety as well, particularly with two-wheelers often travelling at high speeds.

Furthermore, he expressed concern about the prevalence of two-wheelers driving on pavements, attributing this dangerous behaviour, in part, to space constraints and indiscriminate roadside parking.

Blame game

In this scenario, while drivers often accuse two-wheeler riders of reckless weaving in and out of traffic, riders counter that car drivers rarely provide sufficient space in the right lane for safe overtaking.

A two-wheeler taxi rider admitted that both private and commercial motorcycles are ‘compelled’ to take left, dispute the directive, and use the right lane.

“As far as possible, we try to keep right but we cannot because we are not given space on the right lane to pass through. So, we are compelled to take left lane,” he maintained.

He added that attempts to honk and overtake from behind on the left often led to angry reactions and verbal altercations with other drivers.

Echoing the others, another two-wheeler taxi rider said that they often have no choice but to use whatever space is available, regardless of lane designation.

He urged authorities to address this issue, suggesting a dedicated lane for two-wheelers to improve safety and traffic flow.

Four-wheeler drivers, on the other hand, pointed fingers at motorcyclists for overtaking from both sides, increasing the risk of preventable accidents.

VimhaliePienyu said he experienced ‘unnecessary overtaking’ by two-wheeler riders from time to time and called for lane discipline.

He said that while driving styles may differ, adhering to lane discipline is crucial for everyone.

On the challenges faced by motorcyclists, he suggested that they should only overtake on the right and ensure the car driver ahead is aware of their intention. This, he explained, would prevent misunderstandings and reduce the risk of accidents that often occur during left-side overtaking.

Another four-wheeler driver, John, observed that motorcycles pop up from both left and right, causing accidents to happen.

He went on to say that drivers have to be vigilant and scan in all directions—for oncoming traffic, parked cars, vehicles behind, and pedestrians. But not everyone is as attentive, which is why sticking to one’s lane is always the safest course of action, he emphasised.

He also observed that many riders seem to believe they have the freedom to weave between lanes, contributing to the chaotic traffic environment.

Call for increased traffic awareness, enforcement

John lamented the general lack of traffic sense in Kohima, pointing out that many drivers blatantly disregard even the most basic rules.

Cars are often parked illegally, even with ‘No Parking’ signs clearly displayed, causing unnecessary inconvenience, he observed. He suggested that drivers who absolutely must park in prohibited areas should at least display their contact numbers so that they can be contacted in case of emergencies.

A four-wheel taxi driver expressed similar concerns about motorcyclists’ disregard for traffic rules, noting that they often appear from any direction without warning. However, he acknowledged the riders’ perspective, agreeing that drivers often block the right lane, leaving them little choice.

He also suggested opening a dedicated lane for two-wheelers and stressed the need for stricter traffic enforcement to ensure compliance.

Unfortunately, riders are often allowed to go ahead anyway, despite flouting lane discipline, he added.

A traffic police officer stressed the importance of adhering to traffic regulations, pointing to the placement of signs and signboards at strategic locations—including areas without constant police presence—as evidence of their efforts to guide drivers and riders towards safer practices.

He particularly emphasised the need for motorcycles and scooters to keep to the right and to overtake only from the right lane. Overtaking from the left, he explained, creates a blind spot for other vehicles, significantly increasing the risk of accidents involving pedestrians and other vehicles.

He reiterated that parking restrictions apply to everyone, urging both private and government vehicle owners to respect designated ‘No Parking’ areas.

Adding to the urgency of improving Kohima’s traffic conditions is the alarming rise in road fatalities across Nagaland.

Official records reveal a disturbing trend: 2023 saw a tragic peak with 84 lives lost on the state’s roads. Between 2019 and 2023, a total of 311 people died in traffic accidents, with over 2,800 accidents reported and over 1,600 individuals suffering injuries.

Rash driving, drunk driving, a disregard for basic traffic laws, and poor road conditions are the leading causes behind these preventable deaths.