“Use zebra-crossings while you cross the road,” was the message conveyed to pedestrians. As for motorists, “Please halt and go, when pedestrians cross at intersections.”
Conveying this message, Collector Anshul Mishra launched the week-long awareness campaign for road-users at the Maatuthavani bus stand here on Monday.
Like the annual programme of the road safety awareness week conducted by the Transport Department, the Collector proposed the idea of conducting a similar event for pedestrians as well. For the first time in Madurai, the campaign was launched. Distributing pamphlets, Mr. Mishra said that with the rise in vehicle population, traffic police alone could not ensure safety. There had to be cooperation from all road-users.
Motorists — be it a two-wheeler rider or a heavy vehicle driver, the Collector stopped them at the zebra crossing and urged them to stop, when a pedestrian crossed. Don’t blow horn as well, when pedestrians, particularly, elderly persons were crossing the road, he said.
As a token of appreciation, a couple of drivers, including a mini-bus driver, were presented with gifts by Mr. Anshul Mishra, who went round the bus stand interacting with the public. The TNSTC bus drivers, one of the major users of the city roads, were also advised to set a model to others in safe driving practices.
The bus crew were instructed to stop at the left-hand side of the bus stop and not to block road for other-users. Similarly, mini-bus drivers were advised to stop only at specific points and not abruptly during the campaign.
Officials from the Transport Department, traffic police and Highways Department participated in the function.
