Lucknow: To curb road accidents, the transport department has launched a special initiative seeking cooperation from gram pradhans, lawyers, school managers, and principals to promote road safety.Transport commissioner Ashutosh Niranjan has written to all gram pradhans, urging them to sensitise villagers about wearing helmets, using seat belts, and following road safety rules.In his letter, the commissioner noted that as elected representatives, their words carry weight among villagers. He said that if they encourage residents to wear helmets and seat belts and adhere to traffic rules, a significant section of the rural population will become more conscious about road safety.He added that gram pradhans of villages reporting a reduction in road accident deaths will be awarded by district road safety committees.The commissioner has also written to the State Bar Association and district-level lawyers’ associations, seeking similar cooperation.Appealing to lawyers, he cited their legal expertise, respect for the law, and status as an intellectual community, urging them to encourage members to follow traffic rules and ensure safety for themselves and their families.Similar letters have been sent to school managers and principals across the state.Uttar Pradesh, on average, reports around 22,000 road accident deaths every year — the highest in the country.
