Road accidents are snuffing out average one life everyday, while at least one person gets injured in three districts of Bathinda, Mansa and Muktsar that fall under the Bathinda police range.
This was shared by DIG Bathinda range Mohneesh Chawla during a seminar on road safety organised by an NGO, Arrive Safe, as part of an awareness campaign “Hosh-Yaar” (be cautious while driving, buddy) on drunken driving here on Tuesday.
As many as 367 persons died and 386 got injured in 447 road accidents in the three districts last year, figures revealed. Also, as many as 188 persons died while 200 were injured in 200 road accidents between January 1 and May 31 this year in the three districts.
It was noticed during the seminar that even as drunken driving is one of main reasons behind road mishaps, little is being done to ensure deterrence in such cases.
This is also reflected from fewer traffic challans being issued by the traffic police for drunken driving.
“Drunken driving is a major cause of road mishaps and we need to work in this direction. Enforcement alone cannot do anything and we need to construct better roads for safe driving also. It is also important to educate people in this regard also,” DIG Chawla said.
{{/usCountry}}“Drunken driving is a major cause of road mishaps and we need to work in this direction. Enforcement alone cannot do anything and we need to construct better roads for safe driving also. It is also important to educate people in this regard also,” DIG Chawla said.
{{/usCountry}}He said the police would launch vigorous campaign against drunken driving in the Bathinda range.
Reflecting the state of violation of traffic rules, superintendent of police (SP city) Desraj said a city-based shopping mall recently promised to give free movie tickets to those who abide by traffic rules and the police administration along with mall representatives started drive to find out such people but after an exercise of over two hours they couldn’t find a civilian eligible for the offer while only two of army men were selected.
“The aim of the awareness workshop on consequences of drunken driving is to involve local voluntary groups and community-based organisations and to ensure that awareness campaigns are held to increase acceptance among road users that they understand the way alcohol impacts their reflexes,” said Harman Singh Sidhu, president of “Arrive Safe”.
Bathinda mayor Balwant Rai Nath and district transport officer Latif Ahmed too addressed the gathering.Representatives of local voluntary help organisations too took part in the event.