Chennai: The place was Lakshman Shruthi junction, Ashok Nagar. An ambulance was struggling to find its way on the busy stretch. A traffic policeman allowed the vehicles to proceed though the signal was red, so that the ambulance can pass through.
However, a verbal clash broke out when a motorist was coming in the opposite direction as his signal was green. K K Nagar resident and graphic designer M Arul, who was waiting at the signal, wanted to find a solution for such a situation. Thus, he came up with an idea for ambulance to move freely during peak hours.
Speaking to News Today, Arul said, “At present, there are three colours in the traffic signal – red, amber and green. Now, we can add one more colour – blue – especially for the ambulance. When the traffic police hears the ambulance siren, he should switch on the blue button and the direction sign in which the ambulance wants to travel after seeing its indicator. Once the blue button is on, all other three colours should be turned off.”
“If the ambulance wants to take a right turn and there are many vehicles passing in front, there is a solution. Seeing the blue signal, vehicles should move to the left and those that want to travel to the right can proceed. This will make way for the ambulance. Once it crosses the signal, the blue signal can be turned off and the rest can be restored,” he said.
What if there is no traffic policeman? Arul said, “We can fix the device in the traffic signal post, so that passersby after hearing the siren, can switch it on and then switch it off. Also, we can make use of remote control. All ambulance drivers can be given the device and they can operate it when they are 50 to 100 metres from the signal.”
“Most of the time, motorists follow the signal. Awareness can be created about the new initiative and police can try it on a trial basis at a particular signal. I have sent my proposal to City Police Commissioner A K Viswanathan and awaiting his response,” Arul said.
When it comes to creativity, Arul stands apart. That too on social themes, it becomes much easy for him. The local resident has over 200 posters designed by him with his own quotes, mostly focusing on social issues. He has uploaded all the posters on his facebook page – Arul Oviya designer.
Arul came third at the international-level for his poster on two doves flying over a barbed wire with the quote ‘Love and Peace Breaks All the Barriers’ conducted by No Gags, an international organisation, at Venezuela in 2016. He also won first prize in creative contest under poster designing category to promote eye donation organised by Agra-based NGO Drishti at the national-level in 2016.