Follow traffic rules strictly, public urged

In observance of the 36th National Road Safety Month, which runs from January 16 to February 15, the NTR District Transport Department conducted a special event titled ‘Road Safety Walkathon’ at the Eat-Street adjacent to the Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation (IGMC) Stadium in Vijayawada on Tuesday. The event was inaugurated by NTR District Collector Dr G Lakshmisha and Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) Commissioner HM Dhyanachandra.
The walkathon commenced at Eat Street, passed via Mahatma Gandhi Road, and concluded at Benz Circle. Students of PB Siddhartha Arts & Science College, Siddhartha Mahila Kalasala, SRR & CVR Government Degree College, NSS volunteers, and Transport Department officials and staff enthusiastically participated in the walkathon.
Addressing the gathering, the District Collector said that the country’s future is in the hands of the youths. He emphasised that everyone should follow traffic rules strictly. The youth should take a step towards a safe society. He underlined the importance of road safety to realise the Swarnandhra@2047 vision. “Everyone should use roads with utmost care to avoid road accidents,” he added.
He stated that around 400 people died in road accidents last year. Fifty per cent of them were pedestrians. He emphasised the importance of road safety. “If we use roads safely, the other people will follow. Avoid riding two-wheelers without wearing helmet,” he added.  
Collector Lakshmisha warned that officials will take stringent action against those who violate road safety rules. He also appreciated the public and various government department staff, APNGGOs and private organisations for their involvement in ensuring road safety.
The VMC Commissioner said that everyone should strictly follow rules to ensure that they return home as safely as they left home. “The VMC is taking necessary steps towards road safety and improved road engineering,” he said.
Deputy Transport Commissioner (DTC) A Mohan said that on the occasion of Road Safety Month, the department is conducting many awareness meetings and rallies.
APNGGO president KV Siva Reddy, general secretary A Vidyasagar, Transport Department Employees Association leaders M Raja Babu and Dr Kolleti Ramesh, RTOs R Praveen and K Venkateswara Rao, MVIs A Udaya Siva Prasad, Y Nageswara Rao, K Sivarama Gowd, and others were present.