Awareness campaign: Traffic police attempt to guilt-trip citizens into following rules

Personnel have set up camps at various sites where they are disseminating information about road safety.


Sohail Khattak April 22, 2014
A traffic police personnel helps an elderly man cross the street at a traffic signal. The traffic police department is running a campaign to raise awareness regarding traffic rules and road safety guidelines. PHOTO: APP

KARACHI:


The traffic police department has launched an awareness campaign across the city to apprise the citizens about general road safety rules and protocol. Banners printed with informative and educational messages have been put up on billboards at intersections and pedestrian bridges on major thoroughfares across the city. The department has also set up camps at various locations where traffic police personnel give sermons on the importance of following traffic rules and the dangers associated with their violation.


"The primary aim behind this awareness week is to awaken a sense of civic responsibility among citizens of the importance of following traffic rules," said Traffic SSP Tanveer Alam Odho, who is currently serving as the acting DIG of traffic police in the city. The campaign will continue till April 27, during which the traffic police personnel will organise seminars, lectures and workshops at schools, colleges and universities regarding the importance of following traffic rules.



"These objectives could not have been achieved through force or by imposing fines," said Odho. "People generally know the traffic rules. They just need to be reminded time and again until they become accustomed to following them." The personnel are distributing brochures and pamphlets at their distribution centres in different parts of the city and are also giving gift hampers to children.



"I have seen drivers lose control of their vehicles when they use cellphones while driving," said Fazal Aziz, a resident of Malir. "You don't realise how many lives you are putting at risk when you use the cellphone while driving. People need a reminder of their social and moral obligations." Aziz appreciated the efforts by the traffic police, saying he had gained sound insight on traffic laws when he visited one of the camps near Drigh Road. "Such a campaign is a necessary reminder for those who try to justify breaking the rules."

A traffic police constable, Asif Khan, was screaming into the loudspeaker as he warned motorcyclists about the risks of riding their vehicles without a helmet. A banner hung across the camp which read: 'Just think what others think of you when you drive wrong'. Khan was also distributing brochures to the motorcyclists and car-owners who slowed down near his camp.


"Motorcyclists violate traffic rules most often," he said. "They don't use helmets, break traffic signals, breach the lanes and also drive on the wrong side of the road." According to him, the most frequent violation by car drivers was using the cellphones while driving. "The solution is for each person to change themselves, thinking about their own and others' safety for a change." He advised motorists to keep all the relevant documentation at hand and obey traffic rules. "No one will be able to bother or harass you if you follow the rules."


Published in The Express Tribune, April 23rd, 2014.

COMMENTS (4)

Hamid Ahmed | 9 years ago | Reply

This is the state of Pakistan, official banners/posters from police written in incorrect Urdu, nothing more to say.

Ali S | 9 years ago | Reply

About time. I hope this becomes a permanent thing, it will make the roads safer and hopefully instill some trust of the public in the traffic police. Good to see the 'tullas' actually do something productive instead of stopping random passersby for lunch money.

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