Drivers of personal vehicles should follow traffic rules and road safety norms without fail, because the increasing number of personal and private vehicles is posing a challenge to the government agencies vested with the responsibility of enforcing road safety rules, according to APSRTC Regional Manager K.V.R.K Prasad.
Addressing a seminar on ‘road safety' held as part of the 22nd Road Safety Week being observed by the Krishna District Lorry Owners Association in partnership with the Road Transport Authority, Mr. Prasad said that it was not correct to blame only heavy vehicle drivers for road accidents. Drivers of smaller vehicles too had an equal responsibility in following road safety norms, he made clear.
The APSRTC, which holds the Guinness record for operating nearly 22,000 buses, was conducting regular orientation and refreshing classes for its drivers, he pointed out, adding:
“We always tell our drivers that they should follow defensive driving as it can reduce accidents. There is also a need for the people to inculcate the habit of using public transport system.”
Playlet
Earlier, a playlet performed by Shanthi Cultural Society on the importance of road safety impressed the gathering. The playlet highlighted the driving habits of the youth and how dangerous they were.
Deputy Transport Commissioner A. Mohan stressed the need to follow traffic signs for safe driving.
Pointing out that Krishna district was registering highest number of deaths due to road accidents, he said that human errors were main reasons for most of the road accidents.
Important aspect
Andhra Pradesh Lorry Owners Association general secretary Y. V. Eeswara Rao stressed the use of side rear view mirror as an important aspect of safe driving.
It would be very difficult, especially for four-wheel vehicle drivers, to drive in mixed traffic without using these mirrors, he said.
KDLOA president P. Raghavendra Rao expressed unhappiness over the manner in which the Government machinery was convening the meetings of committees on road safety and traffic.
The meeting of the district road safety committee had not been convened for a long time.
KDLOA secretary Nagumothu Raja was present.
