Straight answers

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">L P Khade, </span>Regional Transport Officer, Pune, On National Safety Week from Jan 5-10<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">What is National Safety Week all about?</span><br /><br />National Safety Week is observed to make people aware about road safety.It is observed throughout the country in the first week of the new year, so as to take note of accidents.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">How has Pune fared in terms of road mishaps?</span><br /><br />This city is known for its heterogeneous situation of a multifarious vehicles plying on the same road. Pune has had 270 deaths due to road accidents in 2003. There are a total of nine lakh vehicles registered, out of which 6.8 lakh are two-wheelers. The RTO registers 300 vehicles per day. Besides, pollution levels are already above danger level, the danger level being anything above 60 microgrammes. Pune''s level is 300. This city also suffers from a lot of congestion, because of which, vehicles travel at an average speed of 10 to 15 km per hour. This results in wastage of time and fuel.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">What can be done to remedy the situation?</span><br /><br />During this safety week we will be training and educating citizens. There will be special learners and driving license tests and there will be random vehicle inspections and pollution under control (PUC) checks. Highways and expressways will also have random checks. We are also going to increase awareness through banners, stickers and literature. We are looking for co-operation from the media to make sure that the message is delivered loud and clear. We are targeting all groups of people be it corporates or colleges.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Does such a week make a difference?</span><br /><br />Safety has no holidays. This week is the beginning and not the end and all we ask of motorists is compliance with the rules. We also ask that the public transport system be improved. This will help reduce pollution levels and decrease usage of two-wheelers plying the roads.<br />prachi.bari@timesgroup.com<br /></div> </div>