Strict enforcement of road safety regulations and an effective communication strategy at the grassroots could go a long way in curbing road accidents, officers and experts at a programme of the University of Kashmir (KU) said.
A statement of KU issued here said that while speaking at a day-long traffic awareness programme organised by KU’s School of Law in collaboration with an NGO ‘God’s Lap’, KU Registrar Nisar Ahmad Mir, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said that deaths and injuries in road accidents are preventable if safety norms are followed by everyone with seriousness.
“An effective communication strategy will help raise levels of understanding amongst motorists about the goals of driving as well as about the importance of adherence to road safety laws and regulations,” Mir said in the statement. “Stringent enforcement of legal provisions governing road safety and traffic movement can help reduce road accidents.”
He said services of psychologists could be utilise to help understand behaviours of reckless drivers.
“Vehicular movement comes with a risk, but not many take it that way. Some drivers think that it is merely fun to drive, and not something with a goal. That perception has to be changed with greater awareness through media and community-level awareness and engagement programmes,” Mir said in the statement. “KU will fully support the J&K Traffic Department in raising awareness among the motorists with the involvement of the varsity’s NSS volunteers.”
The statement quoted Dean School of Law, Muhammad Ayoub as saying that application of modern technological tools could also help curb road accidents while creating a culture of road safety in the society was a key to success.
It said keynote speaker Gull Wani, the Head of KU’s Political Science department underscored why it was important for academic institutions to include road safety education in their curriculum.
“In fact, road safety learning has to be in the curriculum at every level to help create disciplined drivers,” he said in the statement.
The statement said KU’s Chief Proctor Showkat Ahmad Shah, who was a guest of honour at the programme, highlighted why grassroots engagement had to be a continued process to raise traffic awareness and build a culture of road safety.
It said ASP Traffic, Srinagar, Zahoor Ahmad Wani, talked about the constraints in management of traffic in Kashmir and other challenges faced by the Traffic Police, while Deputy SP Traffic, Srinagar, Ghulam Hassan suggested how traffic management could be easy if drivers follow traffic rules, avoid wrong parking, and keep patience while driving.