A road safety programme in progress on Station Road. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, Feb. 27: Those commuting along Station Road witnessed a strange scene today: autorickshaw drivers listening patiently as police imparted road safety tips.

The programme was organised after All India Motor Drivers, Mazdoor Welfare Association took initiative. The association wanted to organise a mass awareness programme on road safety.

During the programme, deputy superintendent of police (traffic) Aman Kongari said identity cards would be made mandatory for autorickshaw drivers. They would have to carry it with them all the time. The All India Motor Drivers, Mazdoor Welfare Association has been asked to create the cards.

“The work of making the I-cards has begun. It will take a month to complete the process. After that, all the records of drivers would be compiled in a CD and copies of that would be sent to all autorickshaw stands and police stations. This would help the police find and trace a driver in case of an illegal activity or a complaint,” said Kongari.

After the identity cards are issued and the rules in implemented, law-enforcers said, autorickshaw drivers would be given a mandatory dress code. The deputy superintendent of police advised all three-wheeler drivers to fix a safety rod on the right of the auto to stop passengers getting out that way.

This would reduce accidents and other troubles, he said. “Very often passengers get out an auto-rickshaw on the wrong side of the road, and that too without caring to look if the road is busy or free. This causes accidents. Blocking the right side of the autorickshaw with an iron rod would force passengers to get down on one side only,” he added.

Several people residing near Station Road also participated in the event. Commuters also stopped to listen to the police and ask questions related to road safety.

The president of Jamshedpur unit of All India Motor Drivers, Mazdoor Welfare Association said such an event would be of immense help. “Such roadside programmes are informative and it is easy to attract several people at one go,” said Mohammad Hafiz, the president.

On the location of the awareness drive, he said: “We chose Station Road for the programme because of the huge number of people use this stretch to travel daily.”He promised more such programmes would be organised. “This was our first programme for this year. It would be followed by more such roadside programmes,” said the chief of the association.