Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Directs Authorities To Make Use Of Helmets, Driving With Seat Belts Mandatory In Uttar Pradesh

Mumbai: Observing the National Road Safety Week (April 23-30), Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the state transport department officials to make use of helmets while riding two-wheelers and wearing seat belts in four-wheelers compulsory in the state to curb deaths due to accidents. On the fifth day of the road safety week, the chief minister addressed the launch programme of Transport Safety rally and said that the number of vehicles on roads are increasing every day and without support of the people, the traffic police would not be able handle the situation effectively.

#UPCM श्री #YogiAdityanath ने आज अपने सरकारी आवास पर परिवहन विभाग द्वारा आयोजित 29वें सड़क सुरक्षा सप्ताह के अंतर्गत परिवहन सुरक्षा रैली (#RunForSafety) का शुभारंभ किया। pic.twitter.com/RUghAcQit1

— CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) April 28, 2018

He urged everyone to refrain from driving under the influence of alcohol. He also asked the authorities to ensure that people do not listen to music or talk on the phone while walking on road by coming out with policies, incentives or punishments.

One should drive carefully and follow traffic rules. Only then their life as well as that of others travelling on roads will be safe.

There are people riding two-wheelers without helmets and those not wearing seat belts in four-wheelers, even school vehicles are not following all the rules. Students in large number travel on rickshaws and open three-wheelers. Transport department has been asked to prepare a new plan for it, chief minister Adityanath said.

The decision to make helmets and seat belts a must came in a few days after the 13 school children in Kushinagar died, where a train rammed into a van carrying them as the driver was allegedly listening to music using headphone and did not notice the train at the unmanned level crossing.

Pointing out that the negligence of a van driver led to the accident in Kushinagar, he said that schools must take up the responsibility of operating vehicles as per rules.

If everyone follows traffic rules, chaos on roads will end and many accidents which cost precious lives can be averted. It is a great challenge for officials to regulate traffic properly and to compel commuters to follow rules, the chief minister said.

The chief minister also stressed on the need to include lessons on road safety in academic curriculum of primary and secondary classes.

Among the various initiatives that school should take to avoid reckless driving, the chief minister said that surprise checking of fitness of buses and their drivers should take place regularly.

The chief minister has appealed to all the state districts to prepare a blue print of traffic management and strictly implement it to ensure better regulation. To get a wholesome perspective, departments including police, transport, health and education will jointly prepare a plan for road safety.

Also Read: Moms Know Best: ‘Mother Traffic Force’ To Spread Awareness About Road Safety In Dehradun

With inputs from PTI