In a unique attempt to bring in proper traffic management to the state, the Meghalaya traffic police have opened a school for road safety for traffic rules violators. The school will impart two hours of rigorous counselling on road safety to traffic rule violators of the state.
Friday morning saw more than 100 traffic violators thronging the halls of Sadar Police station in Shillong to attend the 2 hour counseling session on traffic rules and regulations. The traffic violators who attended the counselling programme were appreciative of the police initiative but rued the lack of spacious accommodations for the programme.
East Khasi Hills SP, M. Kharkrang pointed out that traffic rule violation is not a criminal offence but more of a social problem and said that just imposing fines does not really help. He added that it is important for each individual to know, understand and implement their knowledge on road safety. He added that to impart a human touch to the efforts, the police has embarked upon a two hour course twice a month for traffic violators.
Police instructor on traffic rules, KK Ruchell informed that over 100 traffic violaters attended the two hours course, which will be held twice a month. He said that traffic violators are given a summon slip instead of imposing fines if caught violating traffic rules and are all called on the same day for counseling. At a time when the cases of rash driving are on the rise, it remains to be seen what difference this unique initiative of the state traffic police will make in traffic management and road safety.