A book on road safety launched

T Krishna Prasad, Telangana State, Additional Director General of Police (Railways & Road Safety) launched the book ‘Top Driver Car and Bike Driving Handbook’ written by Naresh Raghavan, a Safety Advocate, at Taj Banjara on Friday.

The book has been designed for new and experienced drivers explaining the guidelines for safe approach on Indian roads. “This is the first ever book compiled on road safety in India. More than 1.5 lakh people die every year in road accidents in India.

Statistics revealed that 50 per cent of deaths happen to pedestrians and two-wheelers riders. Last year, in Telangana, 7,100 people died in road accidents and it is seven times more than other types of deaths (murder, etc). Surprisingly 48 per cent of accidents happen on National Highways, State Highways and Outer Ring Roads,” Krishna Prasad said.

Sharing about the main reasons for accidents, Krishna Prasad said, “The accidents happen due to three reasons. Speed, Drunk and Driving, and Overloading. According to statistics, 85 per cent of accidents in India, are happening due to the ‘Unsafe Human Behaviour’.

We have arrested more than 5,000 people in drunk and driving, in which we sent 600 to jail. Last year we collected Rs 120 crore through various penalties. We will use this book as a tool to spread the awareness amongst schools and the various programmes traffic department conducts.”

About the book, Naresh Raghavan said, “As a Hyderabadi, I heard and read about the accidents that occur more frequently than ever. I thought about making a humble contribution by writing a simple handbook.

‘Top Driver Car and Bike Driving Handbook’ has been written with focused information by many years of research across different countries, research of road transportation departments of the US, UK and India; automobile manufacturer findings, computer simulations, accident forensics, experience and lots of common sense to give you that strong foundation.”

“The book has five different levels like Driver Education, Driving Practice and Skills Building, Safe Road Design, Driving License Testing and Policing Fines and Imprisonment. The levels 1 and 2, forms the absolute foundation of good driving, which includes driver education, training and practice.

These two levels are your responsibility. Whereas levels three, four, and five are a part of government’s responsibility. All the five levels together to provide ideal road safety conditions,” Naresh added. Amer Beg, professional race car driver and Mohammad Khaleequr Rahman, Youth Against Speed, an NGO also participated in the meet and shared various road safety tips.