The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Technopark firms launch safe motoring initiative

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 17, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Technopark firms launch safe motoring initiative

Special Correspondent

First batch of 30 drivers to take part in training programme

Participants will be subjected to eye tests
On-road driving test has also been organised

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Safe motoring often becomes the casualty of a tiring day at the workplace. For thousands of employees on the Technopark campus, the punishing schedule at office has taken precedence over road safety concerns.

With over 6,000 vehicles operating on a daily basis, Technopark has the third largest fleet after the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation and the VSSC. The companies functioning on the campus also employ over 500 professional drivers for buses, mini buses, utility vehicles and cars transporting employees to the campus and back.

The Group of Technopark Companies (GTech) has now launched a major initiative aimed at road safety for the employees and drivers operating the vehicles. Named SafeDrive@Gtech, the training programme seeks to enhance fuel efficiency, cut down on road rage, improve road etiquette, avoid accidents, provide response strategies and ensure statutory compliance. It will also inform participants about new systems like power steering, seat-belts, ABS and airbags.

Participants will be subjected to eye examinations. An on-road driving test has also been organised to provide feedback to drivers.

“GTech considers it important to ensure that Technopark drivers, like other professionals on the campus, exhibit the highest standards of professional competence. SafeDrive@GTech is aimed at achieving this objective as well as to enhance the quality of traffic in Thiruvananthapuram,” says Satish Babu, secretary, GTech.

The first batch of 30 drivers to undergo the training programme would be drawn from the GTech member companies.

“We have plans to convene further courses after analysing the feedback from the participants,” said Mr. Babu. Certificates will be issued to those completing the programme.

SafeDrive@GTech will be flagged off by Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) Jacob Punnoose at a function to be held at the Technopark Club on Monday. The National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC), Energy Management Centre and Executive Knowledge Lines are collaborating with GTech.

Other participating agencies include the city traffic police, Motor Vehicles Department, medical professionals and representatives of the automobile industry.

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