Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Call for sustained efforts to curb road accidents

STRESSING SAFETY: Minister for Transport Mathew T. Thomas addressing the valedictory function of the observance of Road Safety Week on Monday.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The observance of Road Safety Week concluded on Monday with the call for sustained efforts to curb the mounting road accidents in the state and for continuing the road safety campaign by seeking the assistance of all the departments and agencies involved.

Minister for Transport Mathew T. Thomas, who inaugurated the valedictory function of the observance of the week organised by the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (Natpac) in association with the city police, also echoed similar sentiments.

Mr. Thomas said a culture needs to be developed in the State that VIP’s are also given equal treatment in the roads and at traffic signals. The decision to make helmets and seat belts mandatory was taken as per the rules. Admitting that helmets are a little inconvenient, he said protest against it should not have been turned into a public agitation.

The Minister said a national transport policy mooted by the State with the aim of strengthening the public transport undertakings and to win back the commuters is under the Centre’s consideration.

Transport Commissioner Ramesh Chandrabhanu, who presided, said the non-development of roads and non-motorable roads are also the reasons for the mounting road accidents in the State.

Project Coordinator, Natpac, G. Ravikumar, in his report said 150 KSRTC drivers along with drivers of CRPF, private and school buses, autorickshaw and two-wheeler drivers were given training on ‘defensive driving’ as part of the observance of the week.

Deputy Commissioner of City Police M. Wahab welcomed the gathering and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Traffic, (South), P. Mohanan Nair proposed the vote of thanks. Assistant Commissioner of Police, (North) K.S. Sreekumar also attended. Mr. Thomas, Deputy Transport Commissioner Ananthakrishnan, City Police Commissioner Revada A. Chandrasekhar and Scientist (G), Natpac, T. Elangovan distributed prizes to winners of various competitions.

The road show, taken out by Kerala Motor Vehicles Department Gazetted Officers Association and Assistant Motor Vehicles Inspectors Association from Kasaragod on January 1 as part of the Week, concluded in the capital on Monday. A rally was taken out from the Gandhi park to VJT Hall. Several vintage cars participated in the rally that was flagged off by Mr. Ananthakrishnan.

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