Road Safety Week initiated by MVD reaches South Sikkim

Road Safety Week initiated by MVD reaches South Sikkim
Puran Tamang

Road Safety Week initiated by MVD reaches South Sikkim

08 March, Namchi: The Motor Vehicles Division, Jorthang South Sikkim observing the Road Safety Week from 7th March to 13th March 2011 had reached South District headquarter Namchi today giving awareness to the drivers and the general public about the road safety measures and the departments rules and regulation on safe driving. The awareness programme here at Namchi was organized by Motor Vehicles Division Jorthang in support of South West Taxi Driver Association and Local Taxi Driver Association Namchi South Sikkim.
Senior Regional Transport Officer HB Gurung aware the divers and the public on the traffic rules and regulation and highlighted on the various road safety measures that can be easily implement to avoid road accidents. He also urged to all the drivers to make their vehicles up to date that reduces the risk and chances of accidents. He further said that they were not only deriving their livelihood form this driving profession but they had also taken bigger responsibility when the passengers sit in their vehicles and said they cannot risk any passenger like with their simple carelessness. He further informed that Namchi is growing in tourism sector and those vehicles carrying tourist should provide better and safe services. If the department found any complaints by tourists the Motor Vehicles Division will cancelled the driving license of the driver of the vehicles and the documents of vehicles will be suspended.
Motor Vehicles Officer Ran Hang Subba informed that every driver must know Traffic rules and signals thoroughly. He said that Sikkim had registered many road accident cases and many accidents was occurred because of unaware of traffic signals by the driver. Speaking in mobile while driving is also very dangerous and has high risk to meet with accident so he urged to all the drivers not to speak in mobile while driving. He further informed that every taxi and the private vehicles have to maintain proper documentation if anyone fails to do then the department will charge of 5 thousand to 10 thousand accordingly. He informed that they had received much public complaint that they were charging extra amount in taxi fare and he urges the driver to not charge outside the departments’ quotes of taxi fare which is against the Motor Vehicles Acts of the Department. He informed that after the awareness programmes in various places of South District, Motor Vehicle Division will conduct Mobile Quote and if any vehicles found unsafe for the public then the officers will fine the vehicles.
General Secretary SWTDA delivering his vote of thanks informed that there are many drivers in Namchi that they had not done any traffic class and they were unaware about traffic signals and rules. He urged to the department to organize the week long class of traffic rules and regulation here in Namchi for the taxi drivers and mainline drivers.