PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Haridwar
The Transport department and Excise department have undertaken a joint campaign to raise awareness on the dangers of drunk driving as part of the Road Safety month. Banners with messages like “Don’t drink and drive” in English and Hindi have been pasted at all licensed liquor shops in the city as part of this campaign.
According to the assistant regional transport officer (Enforcement) Neha Jha, driving under the influence of alcohol is a major reason for road accidents and is also a serious offence under the Motor Vehicles Act. “Instead of focusing only on enforcement, the Transport department is also working to bring about a change in the behaviour of citizens during the Road Safety month in order to achieve a concrete check on road accidents,” Jha said.
ARTO (Administration) Nikhil Sharma said that the administration alone is not responsible for road safety as it is the social responsibility of every citizen. Driving under the influence of alcohol risks the life of the driver and others using the road, he said.
The district Excise officer Kailash Bijoli said that the department is cooperating with the Transport department in this campaign. Consumers are being given a clear message through banners displayed at liquor shops. The departments are appealing to the citizens to imbibe the message of the Road Safety month, abstain from drunk driving and adopt alternatives instead to ensure road safety.
