In an effort to reduce the number of road accidents and raise public awareness of traffic rules, the Uttar Pradesh government will run a ‘Road Safety Fortnight’ from July 17 to 31.
A meeting of the District Road Safety Committee will also be organised as part of this initiative. In this regard, a district road safety action plan will be prepared and sent to the transport commissioner by the end of the fortnight. Additionally, a 15-day action plan has also been prepared.
During the fortnight, government employees, who arrive at their offices without helmets for the first time would be warned and in case of repeat offence, they would be marked absent. The campaign will see coordination among different departments, including, Transport, Home, Public Works, and Medical & Education.
There has been a 5.5% increase in road accidents and 4.2% rise in the number of deaths as compared to last year. Maximum victims are two-wheeler riders.
“Concerned about it, the government is paying special attention to raise awareness among people,” a government spokesman said here on Tuesday.
According to the proposed programme, public representatives like MPs, and MLAs will inaugurate the ceremonies in presence of officers from the respective departments.
The office bearers of buses, trucks, auto unions, and NGOs related to transport will be summoned and their opinions will be solicited.
Many events will be organised during the Road Safety Fortnight. With the assistance of ‘Save Life Foundation’, drivers will receive training in safe driving and first responder skills in all 75 districts.
A workshop related to basic and advanced life support will be organised for medical and paramedical students by the department of surgery and orthopedics of the Medical College on behalf of the Medical Education department. “Traffic police personnel doing excellent work will be felicitated,” the spokesman said.