In the year 2011, Sargakshetra embarked on an ambitious project; to provide Road Safety Training to Public and Private Vehicle Drivers, in association with the Kerala Motor Vehicles Department. What started off as an experimental project with 100 auto rickshaw drivers in November 2011, soon gained momentum, and by September 2012, Sargakshetra had already trained 2800 (80%) auto rickshaw drivers of Changanacherry Taluk. This is in addition to the training given to over 100 teachers and 300 School bus drivers of Changanassery Taluk. Some of the highlights of the training given by Sargakshetra are as follows;
Awareness program
About 2800 (80%) auto rickshaw drivers of Changanacherry taluk received Road Safety training over a period of 1 year. Training and awareness programmes were conducted for over 100 school teachers, and school authorities prior to commencing of the new academic year to equip them to face the Road Safety requirements of the new curriculum. Awareness programmes were also provided for students and 100% school bus drivers of Changanassery taluk.
Health care
Medical Camps and Eye Check-ups were also organized along with the training. Sargakshetra also collaborated with IIEMS to conduct First Aid and Trauma Care training for the drivers. Drivers along with their family attended this program.
Id cards and certificates
‘Trained Driver’ ID cards and Certificates were issued promptly to those who attended the training. Drivers who attended the training were given ‘Trained Driver’ label to be stuck on the windshield and a ‘Trained Driver’ sticker to be pasted on the rear side of their vehicles for generating a distinct identity for Trained Drivers.
Organized insurance promotional activities
Promotional activities that focused on promoting the concepts of road safety were organized as part of the training program.
Trained drivers meet 2012
On completion of training for 2800 drivers, a get together, ‘Trained Drivers Meet 2012’, was also arranged in June 2012 which was inaugurated by Sri. T P Senkumar I P S, ADGP – Intelligence. The impact of the training was evident from the statistics obtained from DCRB on road accidents and this success can only be attributed to the innovative approach taken by Sargakshetra in conducting the training. The dignitaries invited for the ‘Trained Drivers Meet 2012’ included the Hon. Minister for Transport and Power Shri. Aryadan Muhammed, Shri. C. F. Thomas MLA, Shri. K. S. Balasubramaniam IPS (Transport Commissioner), Shri. T. P Senkumar IPS (A.D.G.P Intelligence), Shri. P. A Sainuddin (DTC, Ernakulam), Shri. Sree Prakash (MVI, Chry) and Shri. K. G. Samuel (R.T.O, Kottayam).