The 26{+t}{+h}Road Safety Week will be observed in the State from January 11 to 17. The theme is, ‘Safety is not just a slogan, it is a way of life.’
Over 1.5 lakh people were killed in road accidents in the country in 2013. In Kerala too road accidents fatalities is a cause of concern.
Various awareness creation programmes will be organised. Efforts will be made to develop a road safety culture in various categories of road-users.
The National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (Natpac) will take the lead in organising extension programmes.
Roadshows and pedestrian safety campaigns by youth and student volunteers will be held at major locations along the National and State Highways from January 11.
Road Safety Volunteer Training Programmes will be organised for students and drivers with the support of local bodies, the Youth Welfare Board, Residents’ Associations, the police, and the Motor Vehicles Department.
Quiz, elocution, and painting events; and road safety workshops and seminars will be held in Thiruvanathapuram, Ernakulum, Palakkad, and Kozhikode.
Workshop
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will inaugurate a workshop on the ‘Role of intelligent transport system (ITS) in road safety’ at Sasthra Bhavan in the capital on January 14. Natpac Director B.G. Srideevi says the workshop will formulate an action plan to make use of the latest technologies under ITS to prevent road accidents.
Focus on using technology to prevent accidents
Roadshows, safety campaigns to be organised