National Road Safety Month being celebrated in the district under the theme “Parwah”
– The number of black spots in the district reduced to 23, road accidents also reduced by 43 percent
Hoshiarpur/Daljeet Ajnoha/Jan.3 :
Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal said that National Road Safety Month is being celebrated on a large scale in the district till January 31. The aim of this campaign is to increase awareness towards road safety, the theme of which has been kept as “Parwah” or “Care”. She said that the district administration has made a comprehensive plan to reduce road accidents. Public awareness campaigns are being run in collaboration with various departments and stakeholders regarding road safety. Special emphasis is on bringing positive change in the behavior of drivers, pedestrians and other road users.
Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal said that a fund of Rs 8 lakh 21 thousand has been released to the Executive of PWD (Bridges and Roads) Hoshiarpur for road marking, installation of sign boards and repair of accident prone spots (black spots). An initiative has been taken to make the road accident free by getting the work of Chandigarh Road from Hoshiarpur to Garhshankar done from this fund. She said that this initiative is a step towards making Punjab a leader in the field of road safety. She said that the work of repairing roads, identifying and improving black spots and road signs and road marking is being done on priority in the district. The number of black spots in the district has come down from 44 to 23 and a 43 percent reduction has been recorded in road accidents.
The Deputy Commissioner has appealed to the public to take active part in the road safety campaign. Especially the youth have been urged to join this mission and cooperate in preventing road accidents. She said that this campaign under the theme “Parwah” will not only give people a safe travel experience, but will also help in reducing road accidents.
Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Ravinder Singh Gill said that local engineering colleges have been made nodal agencies for road engineering audit. Along with this, campaigns are being run through social media, newspapers and public meetings. He said that dangers like speeding, drunk driving, and not wearing helmets and seat belts are being highlighted. Students of schools and colleges are being made especially aware.
RTO said that strict action is being taken by the traffic police and transport department against those driving at high speed, driving on the wrong side and driving under the influence of alcohol. He said that during the Road Safety Month, Assistant Regional Transport Officer Sandeep Bharti installed reflector tapes on the back of slow-moving vehicles like tractor-trolleys and auto rickshaws on Wednesday night, so that accidents can be prevented during fog. Apart from this, he, along with his team, took action against overloaded and speeding vehicles and challaned 17 vehicles. He said that the Punjab government has set up a special road safety force and road safety labs equipped with modern technology for road safety. As a result, road accidents and deaths due to them have reduced in the state.
