Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam   

RTC drivers need family support, says official

Ch. Pydi Raju, a driver of Simhachalam Depot, along with his family, receiving the best safety driver award for Visakhapatnam Region, from Deputy Transport Commissioner S. Venkateswara Rao, in the city on Wednesday. Executive Director of APSRTC C. Damodar Dass is also seen.

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Safety Week observed by the APSRTC concluded here on Wednesday with a valedictory function at the Dwaraka Bus Station.

Earlier a safety awareness procession was taken out in the city in which a large number of school and college students participated along with APSRTC officers and crew.

Executive Director of APSRTC C. Damodar Dass, who was chief guest of the valedictory function, urged families of RTC drivers to send their bread winner to duty in a peaceful mind by not discussing family problems and needs as he left the house.

“A seminar with family members of RTC drivers of Guntur Region held in the past brought us very good results as they have been counselled to send their men out in a peaceful frame of mind. This exercise should be done in all Regions”, Mr. Dass said.

According to him driver’s mistakes were the reason for 25 per cent of the accidents and hence the drivers must avoid fatigue, bad habits and lack of sleep.

There were drivers who have an accident-free record even after putting on more than 30 years of service and all should get inspiration from such drivers, he said.

CEO of SITAM and former Director of Xavier Institute (Bangalore) D. Panduranga Rao wanted training, though it might cost some money to the organisations, must be imparted periodically to the bus crew to ensure safety. Along with human errors, bad road conditions and lorries were the reasons for road accidents.

Deputy Transport Commissioner S. Venkateswara Rao said natural calamities, bad condition of road and insufficient space on the roads accounted for 16 per cent of accidents while 84 per cent was human error.

Mr. Venkateswara Rao assured that he would extend all help possible in restoring suspended driving licences of APSRTC drivers.

Deputy Chief Traffic Manager (rural) and Regional Manager in-charge A. Veeraiah Chowdary presided. Deputy Chief Traffic Manager (urban) A. Vijay Kumar, Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer B. Sudhakar, regional secretaries of NMU and Employees Union Y. Srinivas Rao and Ch.V.S. Narayana respectively and others spoke.

The Visakhapatnam Region presented safety and cash awards to the drivers who had recorded accident-free service during 2008.

A driver from Simhachalam Ch. Pydi Raju stood first in the Region.

This was the fourth year in succession that the 56-yeawr-old Mr. Raju received the Best Safety Driver award.

Safety and cash awards were presented to best five drivers of the Region and also the best five from each of the nine depots.

A total of 50 awards were presented. Cash awards of Rs.2,250, Rs.2,000, Rs.1,750, Rs.1,800 and Rs.1,250 were presented to the first, second, third, fourth and fifth best safe driver respectively at the Region level and Rs.1,750, Rs.1,500, Rs.1,200, Rs.1,000 and Rs.750 at the depot-level.

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