Post News Network
Cuttack, Jan 18: Residents of Cuttack are divided over the efficacy of the initiatives taken by the authorities concerned for ensuring road safety during the Road Safety Week-2015 that concluded Saturday.
The awareness programmes organised by the transport department were informative, “but it remains to be seen whether the policies formulated for the safety of the motorists are put into practice effectively”, said Saroj Dash, a resident of Link Road.
Most of the time, traffic police personnel simply turn a blind eye to flagrant violations of traffic rules, which lead to accidents, he said.
It is up to the motorists to take care of others on the road, said Manohar Swain, a resident of Badambadi. “We cannot expect the authorities to save us from an accident if we do not follow traffic regulations. The initiative has to be taken by the people,” he said.
Prakash Dash, a lecturer, said that our roads would be much safer if motorists understand their responsibilities while driving. “Even simple things like flashing the indicator while turning left or right and not overtaking from the right would make a difference. Motorists should understand that if they follow the rules, not only they but also others would be safe,” he said.
If motorists follow simple rules such as wearing a helmet while riding two-wheelers or wearing a seatbelt while driving four-wheelers the fatalities in accidents can be reduced significantly, said commissioner-cum-chairman State Transport Authority M Akhaya.
The transport authority has set a target of reducing road accidents by at least 20 per cent in the next three years, he said. “The officials concerned have been directed to do their jobs diligently. All we need is the cooperation of the people, who should get rid of the feeling that traffic rules are meant to harass them. It is for their own safety,” he said.
