A team of Government officials have embarked on an awareness drive for school and college students on traffic rules and regulations ahead of strict enforcement of penalties for violations from December 1.
A team comprising officials of traffic and police are educating the students targeting children between Classes-IX and XII.
On Tuesday, DSP Umesh Panda, RTO Bikash Chaudhary and Traffic Officer in-charge Prasant Ransigh conducted an awareness session at St Vincent Convent School which was attended by the students and teachers while the principal of the school was also present in the meeting.
Earlier, they had conducted a similar exercise in the Kendriya Vidyalaya, Baleswar.
DSP Panda said, “The awareness drive has been undertaken to curb the menace of underage driving. Besides, the students are urged to insist their parents to follow safety norms such as wearing helmet and tying seat belt. Further, they are advised to wear helmet for the pillion riders too and ask their parents to keep the documents of the vehicles ready.”
“The response has been very encouraging. The schools are cooperating while students are also participating in the sessions asking questions . We have received feedbacks from parents and guardians that their wards discussed the issue at home,” he added.
Underage driving has been a serious concern for traffic management. In the past, several cases of underage driving have been detected by the enforcement agencies.
“In the adolescent age, the children (who are not authorized) tend to resort to rash driving and several accidents, including fatal, were reported in the past too. We are strictly advising them not to drive; even we are urging their parents not to give bike to their wards,” said RTO Bikash Chaudhury.
Traffic Officer in-charge Ransigh told, “The relaxation period is going to end soon. Through students we want to reach out to each household as they are a best medium while we strictly urge them not drive bike till they become majors and receive licence.”