Source : The Hindu Date : 25.06.2009
Rewarded for following traffic rules
Staff Reporter
| Law-abiding riders and drivers win prizes in city |
Photo: K. Ananthan 
REWARD: Deputy Commissioner of Police K. Shanmugavel (third right) handing over a prize intimation coupon to a motorist on Wednesday. Chief Traffic Warden, A. Mahesh (fourth right), Territory Manager of Bharatgas, S. Thangavel (second right) and Regional General Manager of The Hindu, D. Rajkumar (right) are in the picture. —
Coimbatore: About 100 two-wheeler riders, as well as three- and four-wheeler drivers at five major traffic junctions in the city were rewarded on Wednesday for following the rules of the road.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), K. Shanmugavel; Chief Traffic Warden, A.Mahesh; and Territory Manager (LPG) of Bharatgas, S. Thangavel; along with his Assistant Managers, Sandhya and Kiran; and Regional General Manager of The Hindu, D. Rajkumar congratulated the law-abiding road users and handed over an intimation coupon informing that they had won a prize.
The Bharatgas of the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited in association with The Hindu and assistance of the Coimbatore City Police and Traffic Wardens Organisation conducted the event.
The organisers identified law-abiding riders and drivers at Singanallur Junction, Lakshmi Mills Junction, Gandhipuram signal, Avanashilingam University Junction on Mettuppalayam Road, and Ukkadam Junction.
The drive began at 8.30 a.m. and lasted for an hour. About 20 persons were chosen at each signal.
The major parameters for being chosen for a prize were: stopping at the stop line, adhering to lane discipline, wearing helmets, possessing a valid driving licence, not using mobile phones while riding or driving, and wearing seat belts.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Shanmugavel said, “While the police penalise violators, there is a pertinent need to honour those who abide by the rules.”
In the long run such initiatives would make city roads safer, he added.
Mr. Thangavel said that Bharatgas was happy to conduct an event aimed at the betterment of the community.
K. Kalyanasundaram who was chosen for a prize for wearing a seat belt while at the wheel, was an example of one who scrupulously followed the rules of the road.
When stopped and told about the prize, he insisted on taking a U-turn and driving all the way to return to the last lane on Avanashi Road to park his car and receive the coupon.
He said he appreciated the idea of rewarding those who followed traffic rules.
Bus drivers
Out of the 100 persons chosen, were auto rickshaw drivers, tourist cab drivers and State Transport Corporation bus drivers as well. Among the bus drivers were Kulandaivel and Sundarapandian.
Some of the prize winners said they would not be able to receive the prize on Thursday, as they would be out of station.
Another driver, Surendran, who was chosen for a prize at Gandhipuram signal for wearing a seat belt, said he would always wear a seat belt hereafter.