A training cum vehicle check up camp was organised today by the Indian Army in Dawar, Gurez as part of the National Road Safety week, which is being observed nationwide from 11 January to 17 January 2022.
15 sumo taxi drivers of the valley attended the camp along with their vehicles and were educated on road safety norms, move on snow covered roads, traffic signs and rules, vehicle maintenance, first aid and survival during accidents and road blocks. A free mechanical check up of all the vehicles was also carried out by expert technicians of the Indian Army who rectified some minor issues and briefed the drivers about maintenance of their vehicles in extreme cold temperatures and preventive maintenance from wear and tear.
According to the official data by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, India ranks first in the number of deaths caused by road accidents across 199 countries. Gurez valley receives heavy snowfall during winters and the roads are covered with icy sleet which makes it more susceptible to accidents. The main aim of conducting this camp was to educate the taxi drivers of Gurez about the graveness of the matter and to enlighten them on the ways to become more cognizant about their safety on the road.