Chief Minister Raman Singh on Tuesday called upon the youth to follow traffic rules for their own safety and that of others. He urged the drivers of two-wheelers to wear helmets to protect their lives.
In order to make Raipur ‘Smart City’ the contribution of youth will be crucial, he said while addressing youths who had gathered to learn about the traffic rules at the Indoor Stadium in Raipur.
The World’s longest Safety lesson Programme organised was held here and attended by around 4,500 youth which would be sent for inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records, officials stated.
The Raipur Municipal Corporation with the co-operation of the Rungta Group of Institutions and Raipur City Police had conducted the programme. Students of thirteen schools of Raipur participated in the function.
Raipur Municipal Corporation Mayor Pramod Dubey, Chairman Praful Vishwakarma and many corporators participated in the function. In his address, Chief Minister Raman Singh said that about 1.40 lakh people die due to road mishaps in India every year.
Eight thousand people had died in the Hiroshima bombings but double the number die on the road mishaps in India annually, he said.
Singh also said that about 4,000 people die in road mishaps in Chhattisgarh every year.
Today’s kids are future citizens of the country and they should be guided to lead lives of safety, he added.
The Chief Minister congratulated the organizers of the programme and wished them a bright future.
Singh called upon the school children to take a pledge to follow traffic rules all their lives. Raipur Municipal Corporation Mayor Pramod Dubey said today is a historic day as Raipur will be entering the Guinness Book of World Records.
At present, the record stands in the name of Israel where 1933 school children took pledge on traffic safety.
Notably, in January this year, Chief Minister Raman Singh had appealed to the citizens to follow the traffic rules strictly.
The Chief Minister in his message had stated that the value of human life is very precious. ‘It is everybody’s responsibility to maintain safety. The road safety rules are implemented for the smooth functioning of the traffic and to protect the human life.’
Singh said that most of the accidents take place when the traffic rules are violated. The owners of two-wheeler vehicles should wear helmets.
The drivers of four-wheelers should fasten seat belts. An awareness campaign should be launched to educate masses regarding traffic rules. Everybody should be aware of the rules. Teachers of schools and colleges should spread awareness among the students , he said.
On December 6 last year, the State government ordered to make helmet mandatory for two wheeler riders in the State.
The decision came in light of increased fatality of two-wheeler riders, including pillion riders, in road accidents reported in the recent past.
In a circular issued by the State government it was directed that all the district collectors, the Superintendent of Police, Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) and other officials strictly implement the order.
However, the law spared children below 12 years of age, women and also persons belonging to Sikh community (who wear turban).
The government had made required amendments under Section 129 of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 and under Section 213 of Chhattisgarh Motor Vehicle Act, 1994 to implement the new rules.
During the month of May 2014, while raising extreme concern and anger over the rising number of road accidents and casualties reported particularly on outskirts of Raipur during the past few weeks, Chief Minister Raman had directed officials concerned for taking appropriate steps to improve the situation.
Singh showed extreme concern over people losing their valuable lives in road accidents, especially on the highways and other main roads connecting with Raipur city.
“It is high time to seriously think over the issue and take some urgent and important steps to control the situation. I urge the people to wear helmet and follow traffic norms. Over speeding is dangerous both for the rider and others on the road” the Chief Minister had appealed to the people.
He added that the Government would recommit to being more visible and take stronger measures against official negligence if the situation continues.
“It is deeply disconcerting and painful to lose people in these accidents, more so because we are losing the lives of young people on whom our future depends,” said Singh.
The Chief Minister had also stated last year that his government has made wearing helmet compulsory for the two-wheeler riders in the State as life of each person is precious.
People should understand that this step taken by the government is not for any strictness, but to save a life, he said. The Chhatisgarh Government had also made it mandatory last year for the employees of all its departments to wear helmet while riding two-wheelers.
Chief Minister Raman Singh alongwith his senior officials and other staff went to several pats of Raipur city riding a two-wheeler while wearing a helmet on June 20, 2014 to spread awareness among the people to wear helmet.
The government had issued the circular on helmets being made mandatory for all government employees riding two-wheelers to all the departments, officials informed.
In the circular, Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Secretaries of the departments concerned have been directed to issue directives to all the employees of their subordinate offices about wearing helmet compulsorily while riding two-wheelers.
The government has introduced the mandate of wearing helmet while riding, for the safety of riders and pillion riders of two-wheeler vehicles.
In the circular issued on June 2014, the officials were directed that Section 129 of Motor Vehicles Act 1988 includes a provision, as per which wearing helmet while riding or pillion riding two-wheeler vehicles is compulsory.