MUMBAI: A rush of motorists scurried over the weekend to get their pollution control certificates and to get their taillights, indicators and reflectors checked. The reason was a fortnight-long statewide road safety drive being launched on Monday.
Called 'Road Safety Fortnight', the campaign—which is being jointly conducted by the RTO, traffic police, highway police and Western India Automobile Association—will be started by chief minister Prithviraj Chavan at Islam Gymkhana, Marine Drive, on Monday morning. During the ceremony, Chavan will flag off a motorcycle rally comprising 200 helmet-wearing bikers who will spread the message of safe driving. A booklet on road safety will be released on the occasion, which will also be attended by home minister R R Patil.
"More than 3 lakh booklets will be distributed to citizens at RTO centres, on highways and at public places," state transport commissioner Dilip Jadhav said on Sunday. "I have directed my staff of 750 officers, including RTOs, deputy and assistant RTOs , to crack down on polluting and overloaded vehicles. Our department will conduct surprise checks on autos and taxis in Mumbai and confiscate illegal vehicles."
The RTO will also conduct awareness programmes such as street plays, lecture series and audio-visual presentations during the fortnight.
Even before its launch, the drive ostensibly had a positive effect. RTO sources said that mobile PUC outlets in Mumbai saw a 20% rise in customers during the weekend.
During the campaign, the traffic police and highway police will be on the lookout for speeding cars and rash and negligent drivers. The special drive against drunk drivers conducted before the New Year's Eve will be intensified during the fortnight. According to joint police commissioner (traffic) Vivek Phansalkar, motorists will be educated in the benefits of safe driving. "Our objective is to create awareness and ensure that drivers follow speed limits. But for lawbreakers, our punishment will be stringent," he said.
A Mantralaya official said that officers have been instructed to conduct checks throughout the night, the period when there is a spike in road accidents. As part of the campaign, the RTO and traffic cops will hold special classes for college students, where they will be counselled to wear helmets and seatbelts and refrain from driving while chatting on the phone.
Read more: New crackdown on errant drivers - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/New-crackdown-on-errant-drivers/articleshow/7208261.cms#ixzz19xpkZVE8
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