Road safety campaign

TT, Gangtok, March 30: Sikkim police started a month-long awareness campaign to educate pedestrians on using footpath and foot-bridges today.

Addressing the media at the east district police office, superintendent of police D.B. Giri said the aim of the campaign is to educate people to start using foot-bridges while crossing roads. The campaign will include members from civil defence, NCC cadets, school students and other volunteers.

"Most of the foot-bridges are not used by people while crossing roads as it is time taking. But we want the public to be aware that using foot-bridges and footpaths will secure their life from any kind of untoward incident," said Giri.

Around 10 students of Deorali Girls Senior Secondary School today volunteered to sensitise people. The students carried placards and requested people to use foot-bridges, said Giri.

Giri added: "Drivers found driving in an inebriated state would be liable for legal action. Such persons would be fined to the maximum and their driving licences would be impounded which may result in cancellation of their driving license."

The Sikkim police is also set to launch a mobile application based on traffic complaints and suggestion services so that the people can report traffic violations, Giri said.

"Through this application local people and tourists can lodge their grievances such as over charging by taxi drivers and other traffic related issues and suggestions. The application would be launched by the end of next month," said a senior police officer.

"If anybody is found driving without a licence or with a fake licence the document and the vehicle shall be impounded and action would be taken," he added.