KOCHI: Students exacting fine from motorists, surprised? Don’t be!! If the proposal mooted by the Motor Vehicle Department becomes a reality, the day won’t be far when students will be slapping fines on motorists for violating traffic rules. Taking inspiration from the success of the Student Police Cadet project launched by the police department, the MVD too has decided to recruit road safety members by associating with schools. This is to put a dent into the increasing number of accidents which in turn are the byproduct of violation of traffic rules. The project will be launched all over the state.
The project, mooted by Transport Commissioner Tomin J Thachankary, will be implemented in association with the NCC, NSS and other voluntary organisations in the schools.
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As a part of the project, selected students will be provided training on road safety and the precautions to be taken while there. After training, they will be deputed to control and implement an effecting traffic system,” said Thachankary.
These trained students will also be deputed to spread the message of road safety among the pedestrians and the motorists.
“There are rules and regulations set up by the government under the MVD acts. However, many are unaware about these. For instance line trafficking, parking and when to use dim lights. With the help of these students, a traffic culture will be instilled among the citizens and this in turn will serve to reduce accidents,” Commissioner said.
As per the plan, MVD, in the first phase of the project, is planning to recruit 10,000 students into its ‘Road Safety Corp’.
“There are 12,000 education institutions in the state including the Higher Secondary. Those who have an interest in the activities of the traffic department will be given priority. In the first phase we can accommodate only 10,000 volunteers. But after the project begins to run smoothly we will rope in additional numbers,” Thachankary added.
The department is also planning to seek Rs 1 crore from the Kerala Road Fund Board for the project. “The project will be launched within a month. The final picture will be out only after we discuss the proposal with the Education Minister C Raveendranath. The meeting will be held within a week or two,” he added.