Hyderabad: Former Test cricketer VVS Laxman today asked every individual to drive safely on roads and said driving was not just privilege but a "serious responsibility".
The stylish Hyderabadi batsman, who is a brand ambassador of Hyderabad Traffic Police (HTP), has featured in six 'educational short films on road safety', giving message to become responsible road users.
"During interviews across the world when I am asked which is most beautiful place I say except for the traffic, Hyderabad is the most beautiful city to live," said Laxman at the launch of the short films here.
"It comes to common sense and to individual responsibility to drive safely," he said, adding "driving is just not a privilege... it is a serious responsibility."
The short films on traffic awareness are a wonderful initiative in educating the vehicle riders to take responsibility for themselves and for others on the roads by spreading awareness on not to lose their own lives and of others (by irresponsible driving), he said. Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police B Prasada Rao underscored the need for imparting?traffic education right from school level.
Apart from education, enforcement should also be done rigorously by the police. The high penalty may pinch violators but certainly it will bring in discipline among the road users, the DGP said.
"Lack of discipline and traffic sense is leading to chaotic traffic which has also become a special flavour of Hyderabad," Rao said, pointing out that in foreign countries rigorous tests are in place before issuing driving licenses.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma said it is an unending battle for traffic police personnel to fight traffic violations and to regulate traffic.
"The toughest job in police is not fighting extremists or terrorists but being a traffic cop," Sharma said, while underlining the need for society to start learning its own responsibilities.
Additional Commissioner (Traffic) Amit Garg said the short films will spread awareness on major traffic violations reported in the city on not wearing seat belts, talking over cell-phones while driving, jumping signals, drunken-driving, triple riding and zebra-crossing.
The HTP during last year has educated 80,000 schools and college students covering 400 educational institutions, besides 2,000 RTC personnel as part of traffic awareness, he said, adding that these films will be screened in cinema halls, electronic media and social media.
