PUNE: Helmet checks for bike riders and speed caution reminders for motorists are likely to be intensified during a road safety drive, which commenced in Pune from Monday. 

“Along with awareness regarding road safety rules, licence checks and adherence to road safety measures among drivers, will also be intensified,” said a senior official of the Regional Transport Office (RTO). 

Commissioner of Police K Venkatesham launched the 30th ‘Road Safety Week’, which will continue till February 10. It has been jointly organised by the District Road Safety Committee, RTO and Pune traffic police. 

According to RTO officials, during the first four days, the awareness campaign will be carried out within the Pune RTO jurisdiction, including Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad (PCMC) and Baramati. 

During the next three days, the special campaign of vehicle check will be launched. 

“The number of accidental deaths has decreased by 44 per cent in January this year as compared to the last year. The RTO, city traffic police and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) are getting a good response from the citizens to various drives that are meant to improve traffic rules adherence. To reduce this number further in coming days, joint efforts by these agencies are needed,” said Venkatesham.

Mayor Mukta Tilak, SP Pune Rural Sandeep Patil, RTO BI Ajri, DCP (Traffic) Pune Tejaswi Satpute, DCP Pimpri Chinchwad traffic police Namrata Patil, Deputy RTO Sanjay Raut, Deputy RTO Vinod Sagre and Anand Patil were present. Venkatesham said that the number of accidental deaths is alarming in the city. “They need to be prevented. Among them, pedestrian deaths are high,’’ he added.

Mayor Tilak said that efforts are being made by PMC, traffic police, RTO and NGOs to prevent road accidents. She added that strict action should be taken against traffic rules violators. 

Ajri said that 1,361 people died in road accidents last year in the city and citizens need to follow traffic rules.