Banners near Patna Women’s College highlight the road safety norms. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, Jan. 2: Motorists and pedestrians, who throw traffic rules and caution to the wind, can no more plead ignorance when they are caught. For, they can now hear the norms loud and clear at major roundabouts of the state capital.

The half-an-hour-long recorded announcements — common on the thoroughfares of several metropolitan cities — would be aired at least for the Traffic Safety Week, which began today. It could also become a permanent feature soon.

City west superintendent of police (SP) Upendra Sharma, also the traffic SP, today told The Telegraph that 11 places in the state capital would have the facility till January 8. “These include Dakbungalow roundabout, Income Tax roundabout, Boring Road roundabout, R-Block and areas that witness a lot of traffic movement,” he said.

The officer said: “The Road Safety Week will focus on spreading awareness on the main reasons for mishaps on the city roads. Most of the accidents in the city are caused by four main reasons — minors driving two-wheelers, three people on one bike, riding two-wheelers without helmets and driving under the influence of liquor. We are using the electronic announcements to spread awareness.”

He added: “The announcements tell commuters to drive carefully, wear helmets and to not get behind the wheel under the influence of liquor. The commuters are also asked to park their vehicles properly. Moreover, commuters are informed about fines they would have to cough up for different traffic offences.”

Commuters who heard the announcements today praised them. Ashiana resident Satish Sinha said: “This is a good move. It is natural for people to listen to announcements. I stopped for a while near the Boring Road roundabout today and listened to them for sometime. If this facility is introduced, it can reduce the number of road accidents.”

To make the announcements more appealing, they have been designed as a conversation between two persons. “We are discussing if the facility can be installed permanently at some important roundabouts of the city,” Sharma said.

Some residents, however, feel that the police should be more proactive in punishing those violating the traffic norms.

Kankerbagh resident Mahesh Soni said: “Such moves are good but the police should try to enforce traffic rules and punish violators.”

Sharma said visual directives would complement the aural instructions in the Traffic Safety Week to increase awareness on safety. “The aim of our programme is to ensure that people follow traffic rules and drive safely. So, along with the announcements, we have also put up a number of flex boards and hoardings at the roundabouts, instructing people about the norms. We will issue newspaper advertisements as well,” he added.