Follow rules to make roads safe, says CM

KOTTAYAM: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Sunday appealed to the people to follow traffic rules strictly to avoid accidents. Joint efforts of the public, media and officials are necessary for the successful implementation of rules, he said while inaugurating the Road Safety Week at KPS Menon hall here.He expressed concern over opposition whenever efforts were taken to implement rules strictly. He called upon officials to take action against law violators without any bias. Officials engaged in the implementation of traffic rules should get maximum support from all sections.Voluntary organisations engaged in helping government agencies should be encouraged. Praising people and agencies engaged in taking the injured to hospital, Chandy said that they should be rewarded suitably. A special fund will be set up for treating the poor involved in accidents.Traffic rules would be made part of school syllabus from next year. Sufficient staff will be provided to the motor vehicles department. As part of improving the efficiency of motor vehicles officials, the government has given the nod for 17 enforcement squad. Steps will be taken to bring down accidents rates considerably by 2020, the Chief Minister said.Finance Minister K M Mani said reckless and drunken driving caused most accidents. He stressed on the need for providing better signaling and direction boards. Mani released a short film for the benefit of pedestrians.Revenue Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan also underscored the need for strict enforcement of traffic rules. He said that there should be more facilities for determining the condition of vehicles.The Chief Minister handed over a handbook ‘Surakshita Samooham Padhathi’ to district panchayat president Radha V Nair. Transport Minister V S Sivakumar released the book ‘Safe Savari’. Pamphlets on the importance of using helmets were handed over by Mons Joseph MLA to district collector Mini Antony.