The 22nd edition of the Road Safety Week was inaugurated on Sunday with the Transport Minister K.N. Nehru hoisting a giant balloon inscribed with awareness messages at the Marina beach.
Speaking to press persons, Mr. Nehru said that over Rs.40 crore has been spent on various road safety measures in 2010.
Over 330 accident-prone ‘black spots' were identified across the State and road engineering flaws in such zones have been rectified. A number of junction improvement programmes have also been undertaken, he said.
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According to Mr.Nehru, the drive against drunk driving would be stepped up. He said that the suspension of Driver's Licence in case of drunk driving or fatal accidents would be made mandatory. “There is a provision to suspend the licence for up to a period of six months, even that of drivers belonging to State Transport Undertakings. But enforcement of the provision has been lax till now,” he added.
Transport Commissioner M.Rajaram said that this year Road Safety Week instead of being reduced to a series of awareness drives spread over one week, would be observed throughout the year.
“We will be taking the awareness campaigns straight to schools and colleges. The Directorate of School Education will be issuing a circular shortly to designate one day as Road Safety Day in schools across the State.” He added.
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The Transport Department is also organising a mass text messaging campaign. Through this week, the over 54 lakh BSNL subscribers in the State would receive road safety related messages through SMS.