Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday directed the officers concerned to evolve an effective mechanism to reach out to all the driving license holders of the state to sensitize them regarding road safety measures and ensuring safer road mobility.
The Chief Minister was presiding over the review meeting of preparedness of Road Safety Month celebrations here.
He said that the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has decided to observe road safety month from January 18 to February 17. The main objective for organizing this event was to sensitize all the stakeholders regarding road safety and promote various activities for mitigating the road accidents and injuries, he said.
Thakur said that involvement of public as well as NGOs must be ensured to make the programme a success.
He said that special thrust must be laid on road safety advocacy programme and Good Samaritans for ensuring better road safety. Good Samaritan is a person who without expectation voluntarily comes forward to administer immediate assistance or emergency care to a person injured in an accident.
He said that the Government of India had made an amendment in the Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 in September, 2020 to provide rights to Good Samaritans.
The Chief Minister said that a proper media campaign must be prepared to sensitize the people regarding road safety in the state. The optimum use of print, digital and electronic media must be ensured besides broadcasting radio talk shows with subject specialists, he added.
He also stressed on the need to organize painting, essay and slogan writing competitions amongst school students. The online competition could also be organized through Nehru Yuva Kendras for various Yuvak Kendras of the state.
Thakur also said that newly elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions as well as Urban Local Bodies must also be involved in mass awareness regarding road safety measures.
The Chief Minister further said that orientation programme must also be held for drivers of school vans as well as commercial vehicles. Special drive must be held to sensitize PWD and NHAI contractors so that black spots could be removed and improved at the time of construction of roads, he added.
He said that eye testing camps should also be planned for commercial drivers.
Thakur also directed the Transport Department to associate driving training schools and trainees by holding workshops for sensitizing them on proper procedure for obtaining driving licenses.
He said that workshops should also be organized for spreading awareness regarding DIGI-LOCKER and mPARIVAHAN application.
During the meeting, Principal Secretary Transport KK Pant said that the State level inaugural function of the national road safety month would be held at Shimla on 18th of this month which would be presided over by the Chief Minister.
He said that on this day, the Chief Minister would also flag off a cycle rally as well as various groups to different districts to sensitize the people regarding road safety. Director Transport Department Anupam Kashyap made a detailed presentation regarding month long events being held throughout the state on the national road safety month.
