22nd Road Safety Week observed in Mangan

MANGAN, 11 March: The Transport Department of Mangan, North District organized the 22nd Road Safety Week at Mangan on 07 March. The programme started with a rally from BAC Mangan to the Community hall where a welcome address was delivered by Regional Transport Officer (N), KS Gurung.

Senior Superintendent of Police (N) BK Tamang in his address shared information on road safety and the recently formed Road Safety Committee, North District which has District Magistrate (N) as the Chairman. Road accidents have been a major cause of deaths in the area and from 2009 - 2011 a total of 47 accidents occurred in the North district with 21deaths, 19 grievously injured and 70 with minor injuries, Mr Tamang informed. Most accident cases have been due to alcoholism and negligence, he added further suggesting that BRO and Power Project developers staff should also be invited for such programmes.

PI Traffic Gangtok, Arjun Chettri, highlighted on traffic rules and regulations 1989 and 1999 for road safety. In 2010 a total of189 motor accidents were recorded in the state in which 71% victims lost their lives out of which 83 were male and 69 female, he informed.
The ADC (N), S Targain said that drivers are 'Ambassadors of Wheel' and that everyday should be observed as Road Safety Day.

Chairman, Transport Department, TW Lepcha, present as the chief guest, in his address suggested to the Transport Department Officers to organize awareness programmes in coordination with the Road Safety Committee. Road accidents not only affect an individual but also the family of the injured or the dead, he said. It has also been observed that it is mostly the VIP's and Police Department vehicles that break traffic rules which need to be corrected along with a change in the mental attitude of those concerned.

Mr Lepcha also suggested that during the tourist season vehicle checking should be given relief as it is a hassle for tourists. Proper information with regard to the new tax system should be provided to drivers and vehicle owners by the department, he added. He also urged dropout students of Class VIII, X and XII to meet the area MLA for tourist guide, hotel management etc. training which is scheduled to begin from April this year.

MO, District hospital in her address, focused on the role of factors like human error and weather as causing accidents.

At the end, Prem Tamang (NDTDA), Dawzang Lachungpa (Mainline Taxi), Karma Gyatso Bhutia (Government Vehicle) and Chola Lachenpa (NDLTDA) were felicitated with certificates for Best Drivers of the year. The vote of thanks was delivered by Motor Vehicle Inspector, Krishna Lamichaney.

The programme was also attended by Zilla Adhyaksha (N), Khamsoom Lepcha, BDO Mangan, ST Tamang, MNP Councilors, KJ Bhutia and PK Malu, members of North Sikkim Local Taxi Driver’s Association, North Sikkim Tata Driver Association, North Sikkim Government Driver’s Association, students of MSSS, NSA, Singhik SS, Pakshep and Rangrang JHS, Panchayats and drivers.