Initiatives taken during Road Safety Week were relevant throughout the year and a change in mindset of people was needed in this direction, said P. Suresh, Regional Transport Officer, Madurai South.
Addressing students of K.L.N. Memorial Polytechnic College in Viraganoor here on Wednesday, he said traffic rules such as drivers should not jump signals; car drivers should wear seatbelts; they should not speak on mobile phone while driving; drunken driving is an offence; goods carriers should not be used to transport people; only those aged 18 and above are eligible to drive after getting licence; pillion riders of motorcycles must also wear helmet - these and other rules were to be followed all the time to maintain order on road and to prevent accidents.
The transport department was taking a series of initiatives to inculcate road discipline. These efforts should bring about a permanent change in mindset of people. “As youths are the foundation of a strong India, your life is precious and do not lose it in a road accident,” Mr. Suresh said.
Motor Vehicle Inspectors pasted reflective red stickers on the rear of vehicles near the Regional Transport Office on Bypass Road on Thursday, the fourth day of Road Safety Week.
Pamphlets on road safety were distributed to road users on Madurai-Aruppukottai stretch of the Thoothukudi highway on Wednesday. The transport department also conducted a vehicle check and fined heavy vehicles that transported load above the prescribed limit. A total of 30 vehicles were fined ₹1,85 lakh for various offences.
On Tuesday, the department, along with traffic police personnel, reprimanded students who travelled on footboard of city buses. Joseph Nixon, Assistant Commissioner-Town Traffic, instructed bus conductors to offload students who travelled on the footboard, thus risking their lives.
A general medical check-up will be conducted for Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation bus drivers and conductors on Friday to conclude the Road Safety Week initiatives.
Published - February 08, 2019 07:53 am IST
