Williamnagar, April 10: With the aim to identify safe and unsafe practices of pedestrians, passengers and cyclists, and demonstrate knowledge of traffic law and create awareness of the existence of SADD (Students Against Driving Drunk) and be prepared to discuss the SADD Contract with a responsible adult, the Department of Political Science, Loyola College, Williamnagar organised an awareness programme on “Traffic Rules & Road Safety” at Bishop Mama Hall in Loyola College on Saturday.

Briefing the students of Political Science and the teachers, Goera T Sangma, SI Traffic In-Charge Williamnagar, said that all road users should be acquainted with the traffic rules and should be informed citizens while taking road safety measures.

Citing examples of road accidents, he remarked that ignorance of rules is the
major cause of accidents. Therefore, people including drivers and non drivers should be made aware of the traffic rules and road safety measures.

To better serve the purpose, Sangma spoke at length about the importance of traffic rules by highlighting some of the common mistakes/ errors that every individual tends to make.

As the main resource person of the programme, he pointed out that traffic rules are not just meant for the drivers but also for all those commuters who travel every day.

He further shared some important laws under Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 such as the Good Samaritan Law, difference between an offender and a criminal, wearing seat belt while driving, use of mobile phones while driving, wearing helmet, and different types of pollution – noise pollution and environment pollution. According to his observation, most of the accidents apart from mechanical defects can be evaded if all the drivers follow traffic rules.

Hence, he urged upon the students to drive with care and caution while also paying attention to signage that have been put up on certain roads and junctions for their own safety as well as for the safety of others.

At the beginning of the programme, Imti Lemtur, HOD, Political Science, welcomed the gathering by highlighting the objective of the event followed by the Chair’s remark which was delivered by Neckywestha N. Sangma, emphasizing on some of the major issues pertaining to frequent road accidents. The keynote address for the programme was delivered by Bartholomeo R Marak where he illustrated on the importance of “National Road Safety Policy” March 2010.