Road safety awareness drive organised in Sopore

Sopore, Jan 30: In a significant initiative to promote road safety and responsible driving habits, a large-scale road safety awareness drive was conducted in Sopore under the directions of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Sopore.

The programme was organized by the Tehsil Legal Services Committee (TLSC) Sopore in collaboration with the Traffic Department Rural Kashmir, aiming to spread awareness about traffic regulations and the importance of safe driving practices among the public.

The drive saw the participation of ARTO Sopore, DySP Traffic Rural Kashmir, officials from the Legal Services Committee, traffic police personnel, and representatives of other concerned departments. The campaign was carried out at key locations in Sopore town, where officials interacted directly with drivers, commuters, and pedestrians to educate them about road safety norms.

As part of the awareness drive, participants displayed placards carrying strong safety messages such as “Always Drive Carefully,” “Do Not Use Mobile Phones While Driving,” “Follow Traffic Rules, Stay Safe,” “Avoid Over-Speeding,” and “Don’t Drink and Drive—Stay Alive.”

These messages were aimed at reminding motorists of the common causes of road accidents and the simple precautions that can save lives.

Officials emphasised that reckless driving, over-speeding, drunk driving, and mobile phone usage while driving remain major contributors to road mishaps. They underlined that road safety is a shared responsibility and that strict adherence to traffic rules can significantly reduce accidents and fatalities. Drivers were advised to wear seat belts, use helmets, maintain lane discipline, and respect pedestrian rights. The legal services authorities also highlighted the legal implications of traffic violations and informed the public about laws related to road safety.

They stressed that awareness, combined with enforcement, is essential to build a safer traffic culture. The campaign received a positive response from the general public, with many commuters appreciating the efforts of the authorities. Locals stated that such drives are necessary to continuously remind people about the value of human life and the need for caution on roads. The organisers reiterated their commitment to conducting similar programmes in the future to ensure safer roads and to foster a sense of responsibility among road users across the Sopore subdivision.