Safety campaigns helped reduce accidents: MVD

Kochi: The review of the road safety awareness programmes under the Ernakulam RTO limit on Friday noted that road accidents during New Year's Eve decreased this year, following an extensive safety awareness campaign.

"Two fatalities occurred due to accidents on New Year's Eve within the Ernakulam RTO limits. Earlier, many more casualties used to be reported on New Year's Eve in accidents. But we brought it down through intensive patrolling and awareness programmes. We had focused patrolling especially on black spots," said a senior MVD official.

The ministry of road transport and highways is observing National Road Safety Month from Jan 1 to 31. As part of this, the meeting decided to conduct eye testing camps for drivers. Awareness programmes will be held in schools and among drivers on the need for safe driving practices. The MVD will utilise the services of NCC and National Service Scheme members in this regard.

At present, the MVD is conducting intensive patrolling in the district, and it will continue till Jan 15. Strict actions, including the cancellation of fitness certificates, are taken against vehicles found with unauthorised lights that cause inconvenience to other road users and those fitted with air horns. A fine of up to Rs 5,000 is also imposed for using air horns. The fitness certificate of vehicles operating with tampered speed governors will be cancelled.