Newmai News Network
Shillong | August 19
Revolutionizing the concept of traffic management, Meghalaya traffic police has opened up a school for road safety and the only eligibility required for admission is to violate traffic rules.
As unique as it sounds, the breaking of traffic rules in Meghalaya will result in one having to attend two hours of a rigorous counselling course on road safety.
Friday morning saw more than 100 traffic violators thronging the halls of Sadar Police Station to attend the 2-hour counselling on traffic rules and regulations. The traffic violators who attended the counselling were all in praise of the police initiative; however, they suggested such programmes should have been organised in a bigger hall to accommodate everyone as most of them were unable to enter the hall and be part of the programme.
“I like this initiative of the police as I realised that I was unaware of many of the do’s and don’ts about traffic rules only after attending the programme,” said a local taxi driver B. Nongsiej, adding that he will share what he has learned with his friends.
Echoing similar views, a tourist taxi driver, Peter Tamang said, “It is a welcome initiative instead of fines as we learn and can further educate our friends.”
Another taxi driver, Sarvan Kumar Yadav too shared similar views.
“We realised that just imposing fines does not really help. It is important for each and every individual to know, understand and implement their knowledge on road safety and so we have embarked upon a two hour course twice a month for traffic violators,” said the Superintendent of Police (SP), East Khasi Hills (EKH) M. Kharkrang.
Pointing out that traffic rule violation is not a criminal offence but more of a social problem, the Police chief said, “We need to have a more human touch while dealing with it.”
Police instructor on traffic rules, KK Ruchell informed that over 100 traffic violators attend the two hours course held twice a month. He said the traffic violators are given a summon slip instead of imposing fine if caught violating traffic rules and are all called on the same day for counselling.
It may be mentioned that just recently, a clear case of negligence left three persons with grave injuries when their motor bike coming from a no-entry zone dashed against a vehicle at Barik Point.
At a time when the cases of rash driving are on the rise, now it remains to be seen whether this unique initiative of the state traffic police will make a difference in traffic management and road safety or not.
