For all vehicle drivers, be they the law abiding kind or the nonchalant ones with little regard for rules, their interaction with police while on roads will normally be limited to the law enforcement angle. Either they will show their vehicle papers and licences or pay penalty and receive a stern sermon.
However, personnel of Kuniamuthur Police Station (Law and Order) adopted a novel method. Give prizes and encourage safe driving.
Their aim was to recognise law-abiding drivers and, at the same time, encourage others to follow suit. Around 150 motorists received surprise gifts at the Athupalam Junction here on Saturday morning.
P. Rabi Sujin Jose, Inspector, Kuniamuthur Police Station (Law and Order), says that the gifts were given to drivers who were identified as following traffic rules such as halting before the stop line in the junction, having vehicle licence and other documents, wearing helmets and for car drivers for wearing seat belts and removing sun films. “Alongside the enforcement options such as levying fines and penalties, we also want to try another approach that would reward those following the law and make others want to do so. This has got a huge positive response not only from the drivers but also the general public. Even the local shop businessmen and lorry drivers appreciated our effort,” he adds.
A total of 13 police personnel from the Kuniamuthur Police Station led by Mr. Jose gave away the gifts to drivers between 10 a.m. and 10.45 a.m. Items such as pen stands, cups, kitchen utensils and food containers were given away.
