In an effort to promote safe driving practices and save lives, particularly among the youth, the Cultural Unit Kashmir, of Department of Information and Public Relation (DIPR) J&K in collaboration with the Government College for Women (GCW) Nawakadal, Monday organized a traffic safety awareness program within the college campus, here.

Recent accidents including at Tengpora and Lawaypora resulted in the loss of young lives, thus prompting the need for an increased awareness about road safety among the masses, especially younger generation.

Students from the college participated in the program, discussing road safety measures and the consequences of rash driving.

The program was attended by distinguished guests, including RTO Kashmir, Syed Shahnawaz; SSP Traffic City Srinagar, Muzafar Shah;  Cultural Officer Kashmir, Burhan Hussain; Principal Government College for Women Nawakadal, Mohammad Farooq; Chairman KRSF, Nasir Ali Khan, other officers of Information department, college faculty and the students.

SSP Traffic through a PowerPoint presentation presented recent statistical data on road accidents in Kashmir, including number of accidents and fatalities, causes of accidents (e.g., reckless driving, over speeding, drunken driving etc.) emphasizing the importance of following traffic rules, especially among young drivers.

The data highlighted the need for increased awareness and enforcement of traffic rules to prevent accidents and save lives. Shah emphasized the importance of responsible driving practices and appealed to the youth to follow traffic rules.

Emphasizing the critical need for following traffic rules, RTO Kashmir stressed the need for proper driving practices and appealed to parents not to provide vehicles to their teenage children, which can lead to disastrous consequences.

Appreciating the Information Department, RTO said that today's event was a significant step towards promoting road safety awareness and encouraging responsible driving practices among the youth.

Earlier, the Cultural Officer welcomed guests to the road safety awareness program, emphasizing the Cultural Unit Kashmir's commitment to organizing awareness programs on critical social issues across the valley. He stressed the importance of safe driving, highlighting how negligence can lead to devastating consequences for families who lose their young ones.

Principal Govt. College for Women Nawakadal encouraged the students to set an example for others by adhering to traffic laws and promoting a culture of road safety. His message reinforced the need for collective responsibility in preventing road accidents and ensuring a safer environment for all.

Chairman KRSF also highlighted the importance of adherence to road safety measures to prevent accidents.

On the occasion, artists of Mehak Dramatic Club presented a  short play on Road Safety Awareness.

Later, AECO Syed Shakeel Shan expressed gratitude to the dignitaries and participants, acknowledging the crucial role of the traffic department, RTO, and NGOs in curbing wrong driving practices on roads.

In the concluding session of the road safety awareness program, dignitaries and student participants were felicitated for their outstanding efforts in spreading awareness about road safety.