FOR SAFE DRIVING: Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) M.A. Saleem (centre), P.S. Sandhu (second from right), Director (Security, Vigilance and Environment) of the BMTC, and Chief Traffic Manager of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation Dastagir Sharif, speaking to BMTC drivers at a workshop on `Road Safety' in Bangalore on Friday. — Photo: K. Gopinathan

Bangalore: P.S. Sandhu, Director (Security, Vigilance and Environment) Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), on Friday urged BMTC drivers to treat fellow travellers on road as their family members.

Speaking after inaugurating a workshop on "Road Safety" organised in association with the Bangalore Traffic Police for BMTC drivers here, Mr. Sandhu said "accident-prone" drivers would be removed from service if there was no improvement in their driving.

He warned them against using cellphones while driving and asked the police to take disciplinary action.

He urged the police to ensure that the seats reserved for women and senior citizens in BMTC buses were not misused.

The BMTC had a plan, "Courtesy and Care", to train school bus drivers. A total of 5,900 drivers were trained during 2005-06 in safe driving, fuel conservation and stress-release programmes, he said. On the increasing number of accidents in Bangalore, he said most of them were because of overtaking from the wrong side and not following lane discipline.

Mr. Sandhu urged the traffic police to inspect accident spots properly and then file first information report as in many instances BMTC drivers were found to be innocent. He asked BMTC drivers to work towards safe and accident-free Bangalore. He announced that the BMTC was honoured with national awards for low accident rate and highest tyre mileage, in New Delhi this month.

M.A. Saleem, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), said the main aim of the drivers was to ensure safe travelling, and most of the accidents occurred were because of human error. Enforcement agencies alone could not prevent accidents. Drivers had to keep their vehicles in good condition.

Hemaraj, General Manager (Technical Division), and Suresh, Finance Officer of the BMTC, spoke.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail