DC condemns 'accident videography' craze

Deputy Commissioner Deepa Cholan has lamented that road accidents and plight of injured is a matter of pleasure for some people who just record the video of the incident, instead of helping the injured to reach the hospital.

"This tendency is common, though there is a new law which gives legal protection to good Samaritans who help the accident victims, to avoid any inconvenience or problem for them in future," she noted.

Speaking at the valedictory of the 30th National Road Safety Week, organised by District Road Safety Committee, District Administration, Police, Transport, Health, Education, and other Departments here on Monday, she advised the students to practically follow road safety rules and measures every moment, which they know theoretically.

During the National Road Safety Week, awareness programmes and competitions were conducted in schools and colleges, while signage was also improved on roads. Children asking their family members, neighbourers, and relatives to follow traffic rules is the better way to get positive impact, than mere enforcement of rules, she observed.

Following simple rules like wearing helmet while riding a two-wheeler, or seat belt while driving a four-wheeler, using zebra cross while crossing the road, driving within the prescribed speed limit, not using mobile phone while driving, and following traffic signals would save the life of road users too, Deepa added.

'Public co-operation key'

Police Commissioner M N Nagaraj observed that total enforcement of traffic rules is not possible till the citizens themselves decide to follow traffic rules voluntarily.

In foreign countries, he said, the traffic police are not seen on the roads, but cameras capture the violations. Heavy fine, and cancellation of driving licence for repeated violations are in practice there.

All should take a pledge to follow traffic rules which are aimed at saving the life of road users, Nagaraj said, adding that around 400 fatal accidents, and collection of around Rs 6 crore fine amount for violation of traffic rules were recorded in the twin cities in 2018.

Transport Department Additional Commissioner Maruti Sambrani lamented that India has a negative image in terms of road safety, as over 1.47 lakh people in the country lose their lives in road accidents every year, with 55 accidents and 17 deaths every hour.

He also sought the co-operation of all to reduce the accident rate by following traffic rules.

Honour

Accident-free drivers of different departments, and officials who worked for road safety awareness were honoured on the occasion. Prizes were also distributed to the students who won in drawing, slogan writing, poster making, and other competitions held as part of the road safety week.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) Ravindra Gadadi, Transport Department Deputy Commissioner Ravindra Kavali, NWKRTC Divisional Controller Vivekanand Vishwajna, DySP Ramanagouda Hatti, ACPs M V Naganur, H K Pathan, and others were present.