Thoothukudi is opening a medical camp for heavy vehicle drivers on Wednesday. | Image credit: N. RAJESH
As long as motor vehicle drivers and cyclists do not obey the traffic rules, road traffic accidents will occur. The loss of life in a traffic accident causes irreparable harm to the affected families. Therefore, every road user should strictly follow the road safety rules to ensure the safety of each of us, said collector K. Senthil Raj.
Here on Wednesday he inaugurated a medical camp for heavy vehicle drivers organized by the Regional Transport Office as part of Road Safety Week celebrations. Hundreds of thousands of passengers travel across the country every day, hoping that the drivers of their vehicles will safely take them to their destination while their families wait to pick them up, he said.
Although the Tamil Nadu government has implemented several accident prevention programs and introduced schemes such as ‘Innuyir Kaappom’ to rescue accident victims, the number of fatal accidents in the state remains high due to road users ignoring road safety rules.
Despite numerous awareness programs, Thoothukudi district recorded 373 fatal accidents in 2022, 394 fatalities in 2021 and 324 fatalities in 2020. The loss of life in a traffic accident causes irreparable harm to the affected families. Therefore, every road user should strictly follow the road safety rules to ensure the safety of each of us,” said Mr Senthil Raj.
He called on drivers of heavy vehicles and two-wheelers to strictly observe road safety rules for an accident-free Tamil Nadu.
Mayor Jegan Periyasamy said drivers of heavy vehicles, in addition to keeping their alcohol intake in check, should take care of themselves by doing regular health checks to stay focused while driving, especially at night.
Drivers participating in the medical camp are screened for vision, blood pressure, diabetes and more.
Also present were Police Superintendent Karthikeyan, Health Services Deputy Director Porchelvan and District Transport Officer Vinayagam.
