Participants advised to imbibe safe, responsible driving habits

Jammu : The Transport Commissioner of Jammu and Kashmi, Vishesh Mahajan on Wednesday inaugurated a free health check-up camp for drivers and conductors here at Bakshi Nagar Matador Stand.
The camp was organized by the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) Jammu, in collaboration with the Health Department and the Minibus Union Jammu.
During the Camp more than 270 drivers and conductors participated and availed themselves of the facility like eye check-up for colour- blindness, defect in eye sight, test to check Blood Pressure Sugar, Hb etc.
Speaking on the occasion, the Transport Commissioner J&K informed the participants that the aim of organizing such medical camps is to spread awareness among drivers about the significance of personal health and hygiene for safe driving. “Such camps will be organized for drivers on a regular basis so that they keep their health in check and well monitored as they hold the responsibility of ensuring the safety of passengers “, he added.
The Transport commissioner also emphasized the importance of adopting safe and responsible driving habits especially among passenger vehicle drivers and conductors and urged the drivers to avoid drunken and rash driving and use of mobile phones while driving. He reiterated that strict adherence to speed limits is crucial, as drivers carry the responsibility of many co – passengers. He said that in many instances it was observed that a minor negligence on the road can lead to tragic loss of lives.
The Transport Commissioner also informed that the department would take up the matter with oil companies to ensure that violators—such as riders without helmets, drivers without seat belts, or those breaching traffic laws are denied fuel at petrol pumps. He further added that although the transport department is implementing all possible measures to reduce accidents, it has constituted a Committee to study the root cause of mishaps in few identified black spots of Jammu district so that necessary steps can be implemented to prevent fatalities. He also sought active participation of drivers and transport unions to achieve the goal.
Responding to the demands of the transport community, he assured that the department would take every initiative to provide moral and administrative support to drivers, enabling them to deliver their services without hindrance.
Earlier, Regional Transport Officer Jammu, Pankaj Bhagotra also spoke at length about road safety awareness and reaffirmed the commitment of all stakeholders to ensuring a safer and healthier environment for the transport sector in the district.