GUNTUR: Traffic laws in India are very liberal in many of the cases and there is a need to make them more stringent on par with the rules of other countries, said Acharya Nagarjuna University Vice-Chancellor V. Balamohandas.

Speaking at a road safety awareness programme conducted by the Department of Adult, Continuing Education, Extension and Field Outreach (ACEEFO) on the ANU campus on Tuesday, he said laws in India needed revision so as to make them on par with the laws of advanced countries.

Even to apply for a driving license, there are stringent laws in western countries. For a small accident, the license is suspended for a period and the candidate is made to undergo license test again. "But in India, the scene is different. Even after causing an accident, the drivers are seldom punished," he said.

Roads in our country have become congested as the number of vehicles has grown exponentially while the width of the roads has not gone up at that rate. Hawkers occupied roads resulting in traffic jams and accidents, Prof. Balamohandas added.

Air pollution

Deputy Transport Commissioner G. Mamatha Prasad said that about 70 per cent of the air pollution in and around Guntur was caused by vehicles. She said that due to the collective efforts of Government and the people, accidents could be curtailed. "Safe driving habits and awareness on traffic rules have to be inculcated from a young age," she opined.

There were more than 25 drivers of various official vehicles in ANU who were among those present at the awareness meet. Ms. Prasad explained to the students the procedure to obtain a license and distributed booklets on traffic awareness. The head of ACEEFO Department P. Syama Thrimurthy coordinated in organising the awareness camp.

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