Law is there. Police look the other way or too occupied/over burdened. Talking on cellphone creates openings for accidents. Walking on road, crossing the road, riding or driving, many seem to be unaware of everything except their cell phone! Best way to stop this is to start charging the incoming calls like before!
This is how most of our roads are repaired. Shoddy work. Unfinished finishing. No follow up. As long as no one dies everything is normal! Of course it is not unique to Chennai alone.
Normally traffic coming from the right should be given preference in India. On this basis and due to the accident position it can be safely assumed that the SUV tried to occupy a space before it was created!