Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada   

Transport Department launches road safety drive in city

VIJAYAWADA: As part of the road safety week celebrations under the ‘Safety Always For All Roads' (SAFAR) campaign, the Transport Department on Saturday started a major awareness drive all over Krishna district to sensitise all sections of people to the need to follow safe driving practices. Special events are being organised to inculcate safe driving habits in 1,000 professional drivers and 15,000 students.

Inaugurating the campaign, Deputy Transport Commissioner A. Mohan said that there was a need to increase awareness of issues relating to road safety as Andhra Pradesh stood 5th in the number of road accidents though in terms of road length it occupied 9th position in the country. This year's campaign will be on the theme of “Road safety is a mission and not intermission” to underline the need for total and unbroken adherence to safety rules by road users.

Speaking after releasing the pamphlets and launching the specially decorated vehicles at the Regional Transport Office, Mr. Mohan said every person without any exception would spend 10 to 20 per cent of their time on roads in their daily lives and so they would have to be very careful about road safety. About 90 per cent of road accidents were occurring due to human error and not because of any mechanical fault in the vehicles. This was evidence enough for the people to remain alert and responsible while driving. As part of this drive, the department was keen on reaching out to 80 per cent of the people personally while covering others through the news media.

He said 12 vans fitted with public address system and manned by designated staff would move around raising awareness of road safety during the seven days of the campaign in the district. A three-hour refresher course designed by the Delhi-based Society for Indian Automobile Manufacturers Association was being imparted to professionals like those driving auto-rickshaws, lorries and trucks during the week. The course would have audio visual presentations as well.

The Transport Department will distribute pamphlets providing tips on road safety like wearing helmets and seat belts compulsorily.

It would also provide leaflets indicating road signs, which were very important for every road user to know in the best interests of road safety, he said.

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