Unruly motorists with no traffic etiquette is become a common phenomenon these days. Nevertheless, the accident rates shoots up year after year. Despite, the efforts of the city traffic police trying impart the knowledge of basic traffic rules, adhering to them truly lies in the hands of the citizens. Even a few NGO's are working in hand with the police in regulating responsible driving however the real change could be achieved only through people's adherence to traffic rules and responsible driving.
To commemorate the National Road Safety week from 9th to 15 January, Honda Motorcycles and Scooter India have been setting up facilities for imparting road safety awareness in every parts of the nation. This day marks an important day, as Coimbatore will be the 11th city to receive a adopted 'Traffic education park' by Honda group. The Children's traffic Park adopted by Honda will function at Paapanaickenpalayam, in the city.
The chief guests for the inauguration were Deepak M Damor, IPS, DIG, Coimbatore Police, Commissioner of Police, A. Amalraj, P.A. Mooorthy, Deputy Commissioner Headquarters, Coimbatore Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), S. Saravanan, Yadvinder S. Guleria, Vice President-Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd, Regional Deputy Director (South) of Honda, Tomoaki Nagayama, Deputy Director, South Region, Yogesh Mathur. Divisional Sales Head - South Region, Manager, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, Ashish Chowdary, Divisional Head - Sales resource, training and quality, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd
This centre will impart knowledge to the motorists on responsible driving, a re-cap of basic traffic rules, the do's and don't associated with driving, and thereby creating a safe road environment. Artificial simulators will aid people in accomplishing the task. Exclusive programmes 'Dream Driving' to promote female riders is one of the highlight of this set-up. At this centre, skilled trainers will instill the idea of ‘independent mobility’ to all women riders above the age 18, and empower them to drive independently. All in just an amazing four hours of time!
Speaking on this occasion, Yadvinder S. Guleria, Senior Vice President-Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. said, “Honda has always understood the need for safe driving and creating a safer environment for driving. These norms have been always adhered by Honda, since it's inception. It's alarming that Tamil Nadu stands third in terms of road accident rates in the nation. And, ironically third in two-wheeler production, too. Hence, it becomes crucial to set-up such such traffic education parks. Coimbatore, will be the first place in Tamil Nadu to get hands-on training from the traffic education park.
Through our initiatives, we have reached up to 10 lakhs people and inculcated the need of safe driving and adherence to traffic rules. Honda, thanks the Coimbatore City Police for giving us an opportunity to set-up a centre here in Coimbatore'
A. Amalraj, Commissioner Coimbatore City Police shared that, 'This traffic park is 50 years old. And from this year, Honda has adopted the park and will run it to instill traffic discipline to the people of Coimbatore. In 2014, the road accident rate stood as 115, in 2015, it was 1253, while last year 2016, the accident rates showed alarming figures of 1377.
While vehicle population is doubling up, the roads still stay at the same size. Out of the one lakh vehicles that gets added to the existing vehicular volume, 75% of them are two-wheelers. Last year alone, we have recorded close to 285 deaths due to two-wheeler accidents.
Educating the youngsters on perfect driving habits are the real need of the hour. Well-before starting to drive the two-wheelers, students should be mindful of the traffic rules and on how to drive their two-wheeler at best. He also insisted that the District Education Officers must initiate steps to bring 300-400 students in different batches on everyday basis to visit the park. The professionals here at the park from Honda will impart good driving habits to the students, which in turn will create more responsible drivers' he said.
