The Hindu : Front Page : Women SIs to lead 50 per cent of national highway patrol teams

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 17, 2007
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Women SIs to lead 50 per cent of national highway patrol teams

K.T. Sangameswaran

Training programme held for personnel
Study in first aid, trauma care centre organised

CHENNAI: Fifty per cent of the police teams patrolling National Highways in the State are to be led by newly-appointed women sub-inspectors on an experimental basis.

As per the new arrangement, of the 160 patrol teams working on two shifts a day, as many as 80 would be headed by women Sub-Inspectors.

With the objective of improving the functioning of highway patrol teams, a comprehensive in-service training programme was organised a few days ago for 1,009 officers and personnel in three batches in all districts. The contents of the course covered first aid, considered vital as patrol personnel are expected to render assistance to accident victims, Motor Vehicles (MV) Act and Rules.

Handling of the Global Positioning System and breathalysers was emphasised during the programme.

With a view to enabling the personnel to discharge their duties in a better manner it was stressed that they should possess an idea of distances and travel time, traffic conditions and places where choking of vehicles is common.

A practical study in first aid and a trauma care centre was organised, Additional Director-General of Police, State Traffic Planning Cell, K.R.Shyamsundar, told The Hindu.

Performance

The performance of the women Sub-inspectors who underwent the specialised training would be regularly assessed.

With the objectives of preventing crimes on national highways, ensuring the safety of road-users, assisting accident victims and regulating traffic flow, highway patrol teams and traffic aid posts were merged and linked to Emergency Accident Relief Centres in the respective districts in June 2003.

The authorities say that with the introduction of patrol teams, grave crimes on national highways have come down considerably. Thanks to continuous patrolling and strict enforcement of the MV Act, the rate of accidents has reduced. However, it is felt that the teams can do better and desist from acting in a manner which will invite public criticism.

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