Officials Urge Stronger Measures to Prevent Road Accidents
Road Safety Campaigns in Focus
In Gadwal, District Collector BM Santosh has instructed officials to take strong steps to reduce road accidents and create awareness about road safety. A month-long road safety campaign has been planned to educate the public about safety standards and prevent mishaps.
State-Level Review Meeting
On Saturday, Telangana State BC and Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, along with Roads and Buildings Department Special Chief Secretary Vikas Raj, held a video conference with district collectors and SPs. The meeting reviewed the organization of the road safety campaigns in all districts.
Month-Long Campaigns
Minister Ponnam Prabhakar explained that while road safety weeks were earlier conducted by the Central Government, Telangana now plans month-long campaigns to make a bigger impact. He emphasized innovative awareness programs involving all departments to reach more people. He also suggested organizing road safety-related activities in every village.
Involving Schools and Students
The minister urged private and government schools to hold awareness programs for students in schools and junior colleges. After the Sankranti holidays, large rallies involving students will be organized in all districts and mandal headquarters.
Coordination Among Departments
Officials from the transport, police, education, and roads and buildings departments were directed to work together to ensure the success of these initiatives. Minister Prabhakar warned that licenses of individuals repeatedly violating road safety norms would be canceled. A new software system is being developed to prevent repeat offenders from getting licenses.
Promoting Helmet Usage
The importance of wearing helmets was stressed, and plans were made to promote helmet use among two-wheeler riders through awareness campaigns and the distribution of helmets. Additionally, schools were encouraged to organize road safety competitions.
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Improving Food Quality in Residential Schools
The minister also announced an increase in mess charges for residential schools to ensure students receive nutritious and tasty food. He directed collectors and senior officials to inspect food quality regularly and ensure no compromises. Contractors supplying food will be paid on time to maintain high standards.
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District Road Safety Plan
District Collector BM Santosh shared plans to conduct road safety awareness programs until March 2025, following government orders. He stressed the importance of having a detailed plan to provide immediate help during accidents.
Identifying Accident-Prone Areas
The collector instructed officials to hold district-level road safety council meetings to identify high-risk areas and take necessary precautions. Special attention will be given to preventing accidents around schools, and proper road signage will be ensured under the supervision of the district transport officer. Signboards will also be installed on highways, rural roads, and other key locations.
Meeting Participants
The meeting was attended by SP Srinivas Rao, R&B EE Pragathi, APD Narsimhulu, and officials from the transport and education departments.
