Kerala - Kochi   

Drivers urged to exercise extreme caution

— Photo: Vipin Chandran

Mayor Mercy Williams inaugurating All the Best, a scholarship scheme instituted by Ashok Leyland and TVS for children of heavy vehicle drivers, in the city on Saturday.

KOCHI: Drivers must exercise more care and caution than surgeons performing an operation, since the lives of far too many people are dependent on their driving, Transport Commissioner T.P. Senkumar has said.

“A careless act by a surgeon might result in a patient's death, whereas a careless driver is a danger to the lives of many people,” he said, after the inauguration of All The Best – a scholarship scheme instituted by Ashok Leyland and TVS for children of heavy vehicle drivers.

Having served as chairman and managing director of the KSRTC for four years, he spoke of how he witnessed the gruelling conditions under which drivers worked.

“Despite this, many of them do not get adequate remuneration and are often blamed for accidents caused by drivers of smaller vehicles. It is heartening to note that corporate groups are helping the cause of driver welfare,” Mr Senkumar said.

Under the programme, 25 students who passed their 12 {+t} {+h} Standard would be given up to Rs 1.25 lakh (Rs 25,000 for each year of graduate course), while 100 students who passed their 10 {+t} {+h} Standard would get Rs 10,000 each year for two years. Toppers from both the categories were given laptops.

Each student's father would be eligible for up to Rs 2 lakh insurance (including hospitalisation expenses), during the period of scholarship.

Speaking after inaugurating the function, Mayor Mercy Williams lauded the initiative by the two companies to help the children of drivers, a hitherto neglected group. She said that school dropouts must be encouraged to continue their studies, if possible, by extending them scholarships.

In his address, the general manager of Ashok Leyland, S. Rajesh, said that his company has been helping drivers at three levels.

“Modifications are made in vehicles to enhance their driving comfort and to ensure safety. Around 50,000 heavy-vehicle drivers are trained in safe, energy-efficient and composed driving, at two of our centres. This apart, we reach out to them to enhance their emotional attachment with us.”

The president, dealership business of TVS and Sons, N. Krishnamoorthy, said that there is shortage of good drivers in most parts of the country. “Welfare schemes for them and their family members will make the job more attractive.”

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