‘Creating awareness about traffic rules among tourists a priority’

To create awareness about traffic rules among tourists is the priority of the district administration, said Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap while presiding over a one-day special road safety awareness campaign organised at Kufri, around 15 km from Shimla, today.

He said that adherence to traffic rules was important as the tourist inflow in the city was rising during the winter. He urged local residents as well as tourists to strictly follow traffic rules such as fastening seat belts, maintaining prescribed speed limits, carrying all valid vehicle documents, not driving under the influence of liquor and not to lean out of sunroof in a four-wheeler. “Tourists may contact the district administration in case of inconvenience faced during their tour,” he added.

Kashyap appealed to local residents to play a leading role in rescuing the injured in case of a road accident. “Such noble acts serve as an inspiration to society. Besides, people should also avoid making videos or clicking photographs in the event of an accident and should rather help the injured,” he added.

SSP Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi said that interceptors were also used during the campaign. “Under the Himachal Pradesh State Road Transformation Programme, these vehicles have been procured with financial assistance from the World Bank. The interceptors are equipped with a developer radar, alco-sensors, black glass detection systems, flasher detector systems, GPS and CCTV cameras to enhance road safety, improve traffic management and tackle crime,” he added.

The SSP said that the interceptors helped in night patrolling and evidence collection, which enhanced the efficiency of the police. “The police are now using these interceptor vehicles for night patrolling and to ensure a quick response,” he added.