Shillong, Jan 16: While the Police department in Meghalaya is celebrating Road safety week to create awareness among the people in the state capital to follow the basic safety norms, the question still lies are we really safe.
Going by the data, in last five years 218 people have lost their life in various road accidents across greater Shillong. To be very precise, the data shows there were 206 road accidents in 2012 of which 56 people have lost their lives.
In 2013, the traffic data shows that till September there were 152 accidents with thirty two people being killed.
The reckless driving is not the only reason for these road accidents, consumption of alcohol related products while driving may also led to these accidents.
Talking to a group of journalist, East Khasi hills SP (Traffic) NK Syiem said that the Shillong traffic police is organising this road safety week to create awareness about road safty among the people. It is noticed that recently there were several instances when pedestrians were hit by the high speeding vehicles which is a matter of great concern.
While appealing people to follow the traffic safety norms, Syiem said that traffic police are taking help of the Meghalaya Integrated Information System to display caution messages electronic boards that have been installed in different parts of the town.
With a view to curb increasing road accidents and also to create more awareness about safe driving , organized a rally on the occasion of road safety week was organised by the Shillong Traffic police in collaboration with Shillong Region Taxi Operators and Drivers Association.
Hundreds of local taxis, government buses and private vehicles with placards on safe driving took part in the rally that began from polo parking and went to different areas of the town.
Road Safety Week is an event that highlights the devastation of road death and injury, and encourages everyone to take action to prevent this carnage. It’s all about people working together to raise awareness about road safety, promote responsible road use, and prevent the suffering that results from crashes and casualties.(SP News)
