Azad launches traffic awareness campaign

Former cricketer and Lok Sabha MP Azad urged commuters to follow traffic rules.

New Delhi: Spreading awareness on the nuances of safe driving, former cricketer and Lok Sabha MP Kirti Azad urged commuters to follow traffic rules at a special campaign initiated by the Delhi police here today.

Aiming to sensitise motorists about traffic regulations, scores of traffic officials distributed pamphlets along with Azad at several key intersections of the city. Echoing repeated appeals of the traffic police, Azad told commuters to drive in lanes and stick to the speed limits laid down by authorities. Highlighting the crucial importance of following traffic rules, Azad blamed the accidents on ``human errors.`` "Most accidents take place due to human errors and our own mistakes. If we follow the traffic rules with diligence, there would be no accidents. People here have been asking me whether I have come to impose fines on them. I have not come to impose any fines, I just want to make New Delhi fine-free," he said. On their part, the traffic officials also reached out to motorists and guided them on errors observed in their driving styles. Satyendra Garg, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), asserted that active participation of eminent personalities in such campaigns always had a major impact on the people. "We roped in Kirti Azad because he is a well-known face and has made India proud in several cricket tournaments. We had requested him and many other eminent personalities to join our campaign since their words have a strong impact on the commuters," said Garg. According to the World Bank estimates, in India, where roads carry almost 90 percent of all passenger traffic and 65 percent of its freight, the mortality rate per 10,000 vehicles is 14, compared with less than two for developed countries. ANI