The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Share the road, curb accidents

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Sunday, Jan 06, 2008
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Share the road, curb accidents

Staff Reporter

Action plan prepared as part of Road Safety Week

Thiruvananthapuram: An action plan, prepared as part of the ongoing Road Safety Week, envisages ‘sharing of roads’ and curbing of aggressive ways to bring down accident rate.

‘Share the road, be human’ should be the slogan for this concept and society as a whole must be roped in for this venture, according to the plan prepared by Kerala Motor Vehicles Department Gazetted Officer’s Association and Kerala Assistant Motor Vehicles Inspectors Association. Motor Vehicles Inspector, P.M. Shaji, who prepared the plan, says, “Road is not the place to vent one’s frustration and competitiveness. It is a space to express tolerance, self control, generosity and skills.”

Sticking to rules

The action plan revolves around the basic rules like ensuring one’s own safety while driving, maintaining safe distance from other vehicles and wearing safety equipment, among other things.

As per the concept, the most significant factor for safe driving is the person behind the wheels. Health, especially the mental state of the driver, determines his reflexes, attitudes and skills, says Mr. Shaji. The vehicle has to be maintained properly so that its brakes, lights and tyres function well.

The driver has to be focused while on the road, obeying traffic rules and signals.

He/she has to keep an eye on other drivers too who may be rash, violate traffic rules and are not respectful to road users.

Drunken driving

It has been scientifically proved that consumption of alcohol will diminish reflexes and control. A wrong decision taken by a driver will have an impact on many others, Mr. Shaji adds.

The basic rules of the roads have to be observed not just for oneself but also for others.

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