Traffic cops rope in youths to check highway mishaps

In an effort to check the rising number of accidents on national highways, state highway traffic police department is now roping in National Service Scheme (NSS) students to generate public awareness. Students across 22 varsities will taken part in the initiative.

The department claims that as 80% of accidents every year involves youths, it is important to spread awareness amidst college students.

Superintendent of police (highways) Dilip Bhujbal said, “Under the road safety awareness programme, we have got in touch with NSS college students. We have also planned an inter-college competition to attract maximum students.”

More than 45,000 NSS students from 431 colleges that come under University of Pune (UoP) are participating in the programme. Skits and other events are planned on college campuses and neighbourhoods. Dr Pandit Shelke, director, Board for Students Welfare of Pune University, said, “We are conducting different workshops to develop innovative ideas that can help to reach out to maximum number of people. The results of this competition will be announced by the end of this month.”