Nagpur: The alarming rise in road accidents seems to have caught attention of attention of the authorities concerned as they have chalked out plans to create awareness.
The Commissioner of Police Dr K Venkatesham on Monday inaugurated the Road Safety Week 2017 at a function held at Swagat Lawn.
Addressing the function, the top cops guided the students of Road Safety Patrol (RSP). “Measures are being initiated to streamline traffic in the city. The city traffic police department has started preparations for a number of activities as part of Road Safety Fortnight to create awareness among road users in a bid to reduce the number of accidents and make road travel safer,”he said.
“If the citizens take the issue seriously and ponder over the alarming rise in accidents, the problem can be solved together. The point is the citizens should take it seriously,” the Commissioner said.
DCP (Traffic) Smarthna Patil in her introductory remarks said that till now 64000 people have been made aware of traffic rules. Several voluntary organizations such as Janakrosh, Police Mitra Parivar, and NGOs extend their help us in this venture. Acting tough against violators, police have challaned a number of offenders. Over Rs 7 crore have been recovered in the year 2016 on account of fines and penalties.
“Over 85 percent of citizens have started wearing helmets. 80 percent of car drivers are using seat belts. At the same time, cases of drunken driving are marking an increase. Citizens were warned not to drive vehicles drinking on December 31. The day saw maximum cases registered against the offenders,” the DCP said.
The year 2016 had witnessed deaths of 310 people in road accidents. “A disturbing trend is being witnessed now a days. Traffic violators and traffic police are found in arguments. The offenders allege demand of bribe by traffic cops to let them off the hook. Keeping in this unsavoury incidents in mind, e-challan system has been introduced in the city. This system has put an end to the problem. Under the system, the helmetless riders are photographed by traffic cops and the challans are delivered to the houses of offenders. The fines could be deposited in banks or post offices, the DCP said.
“Nagpur City is going to be Smart City. So traffic cops are also becoming smart. The traffic problem would be solved the smart way,” the DCP Patil quipped.
“The aim of the activity is to spread awareness and emphasize the need for driving safely. Everybody knows about the precautions to be taken on roads, but few take them. During the fortnight, we will conduct activities that will make people aware of the rules afresh,” she said.
Following are vital points to create awareness about traffic rules:
· Keep speed under control
· Don’t overtake wrongfully
· Don’t talk on mobile phones while driving
· Wear helmets
· Halt vehicles before Stop Line
· Follow road signals
· Honk the horns if necessary
· Don’t drink and drive.
