Awareness week ends on a bright note

KOCHI: The road safety awareness campaign, which commenced on January 1, concluded on Saturday. Inspections to create awareness were undertaken by the Motor Vehicles Department across the city. A special drive was conducted in this regard and many traffic rule violators were given guidance and awareness. Also, cases of drunken driving were dealt with serious intensity. “The first week of January was observed as Road Safety Awareness Week and was in line with Central Government’s road safety awareness action plan. These awareness campaigns will be continued as the State government has declared 2011-2020 as a Decade of Road Safety Awareness,” said Vinod Kumar, inspector, Flying Squad, District Transport Commissioner Office. The campaign also emphasized on giving drivers, especially those of educational institutions, a thorough awareness of dealing with emergencies.Vinod Kumar said that the Motor Vehicles Department will organise training classes for the drivers who got their licences recently. “The classes will be held every Wednesday and Saturday,” he added. The help of retired officials like former district transport commissioners, doctors and psychologists will be sought. “Drivers who adhered to the traffic rules were recognised and were given consolation prizes,” he said.In connection with road safety awareness campaign, the Motor Vehicles Department has also extended their activities to schools. Leaflets explaining traffic rules and road safety measures were circulated to students across the district. Around 3000 students were reached as a part of this initiative. Traffic awareness classes were held for 700 students from 14 schools, at Annie Besant traffic park. “NCC cadets and Red Cross volunteers were also given demonstrations on how the officers inspect the buses and other vehicles,” he said.