Govt will set up 40 new traffic police stations: George

The State government will set up 40 traffic police stations as part of its efforts to create awareness about road safety, according to Home Minister K J George. Rs 11 crore has been sanctioned for the purpose.

He made the announcement during the inauguration of the 25th National Road Safety Week at the Kanteerava Outer Stadium here on Tuesday. George said the police had undertaken several traffic initiatives, including B-Trac and ‘Pehle Aap’, a concept to highlight the need for giving way to other vehicles.

During the safety week, being organised by the Bangalore traffic police in association with the transport department, about one lakh schoolchildren will be enlightened about road safety. Earlier, thousands of schoolchildren from over 600 City schools took part in the march past. They also visited the stalls set up by the traffic police, the BMTC, the KSRTC, among others, at an exhibition on road safety.

George released video clippings prepared by the traffic police on road safety measures. The minister stressed the need to create awareness among the youth about road safety. “Prevention is the key to bringing down the casualties,” he said.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said the road safety campaign should not be confined only to a week, but observed throughout the year. “The number of road accidents is increasing and so are casualties, due to the increasing number of vehicles. About 8,000 accident-related deaths were reported in the State and we have to bring this down,” he said.