Kerala - Kochi   

Campaign on safe driving launched

Staff Reporter

Enforcement and awareness to go simultaneously Enforcement and awareness to go simultaneously

KOCHI: The traffic police on Tuesday started a drive to sensitise the public about safe driving. Traffic laws will be strictly enforcement during the week-long drive.

A seminar on road safety was inaugurated by City Police Commissioner P. Vijayan at the City Traffic (East) police station, Edappally, to launch the drive. A compliant box was installed for the public to lodge their grievances against the public transport system.

Traffic personnel would be deployed at 18 spots identified accident-prone across the city, which included areas like Kacheripadi, Town Hall, Willingdon Island and Venduruthy, to check violation of traffic laws.

Action would be taken against those overtaking along left side, using mobile phones while driving, not dipping headlights during night and not keeping vehicle in proper condition.

"The police personnel will be trying to find remedial steps for reasons leading to accidents at these spots," said D.S. Suneesh Babu, Circle Inspector, City Traffic (West). Officials would register petty cases against violators causing least harassment. Awareness would be given to the personnel as part of the drive.

Awareness campaigns were launched for sensitising the public about safe driving. Hour-long classes would be held in almost all schools in the city, where basic awareness about traffic signals and signages would be given and Mrutasanjivini, documentary made by the traffic police would be screened.

Rewards planned

Victims of accidents would be invited for interaction with school students.

This would be done at individual police stations. Rewards would be given to drivers observing traffic rules and also to traffic police personnel who excelled in their work.

The police would be compiling data for preparing an information bank on autorickshaw and private bus employees during the drive. The police decided to go ahead with the project despite opposition from trade unions of bus employees.

"This information is being collected to filter out those with criminal records," said Mr. Babu. Photocopies of driving licence of the drivers would be collected. Complaint cards, in which the public can lodge complaint against autorickshaw drivers and private bus employees, would be readied in a couple of days.

An audio CD on traffic awareness messages was released on Tuesday. This CD would be played at all the major junctions during the drive. Pamphlets on the theme would be distributed and slides displayed at cinemas in the city.

The drive would end on September 26 with the valedictory session held at the City Traffic (West) station.

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