AHMEDABAD: The ignorance about traffic and road safety rules that prevails in the minds of Amdavadis was evident at the road safety awareness programme at AMA and could be gauged by the number of mint candies that the organizers gave away. Sweets were handed out to those who gave wrong answers! Small wonder then that our country loses about 1,20,000 citizens in road accidents every year and spends more than Rs 55,000 crore on insurance cover and other expenses. "There has always been a need to spread awareness about road safety, but little has been done in this regard. We have taken up the task of educating people of Ahmedabad about driving safely and responsibly," said Amit Khatri, head of Misri Road Safety Trainers and Consultants, who delivered the talk. Many participants at the programme organized by Misri and The Ahmedabad Traffic Consultative Committee were hitherto unaware of basic, yet important, life-saving rules of the road. "After listening to the talk, I got to know the real meaning of the three traffic lights and various types of lines on the highways. From now on, I will definitely follow them," said Bhaumik Rami, 27, a manager with an airline. One basic thing that the audience learnt was the importance of mirrors. They were also instructed to consider not just their safety but also others. They were asked to follow the maxim that driving is a responsibility and not their birth right. "One must check every aspect of the car before starting it. Putting the key in the ignition is the 26th step," said Khatri to a bewildered audience. He used several short films and advertisements to drive the point home and sure enough, the audience participated with gusto.