The Odisha State Transport Authority (STA) has issued strict guidelines to all Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) and Additional RTOs to ensure safety at picnic spots during the festive season.
Acting on the instructions of Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, the enforcement drive aims to reduce accidents that often occur due to drunk driving and overspeeding.
Moreover, officials confirmed that tourists will undergo breath-analyser tests, and violators of traffic rules will face strict legal action under the Motor Vehicles Act. In addition, enforcement teams will focus on curbing reckless driving, overloading, unsafe transport, and unauthorised use of vehicles. Police and transport officials will jointly conduct checks at entry and exit points of major picnic and pilgrimage destinations.
Furthermore, the guidelines emphasise the four pillars of road safety—Enforcement, Engineering, Education, and Emergency Care. District Collectors will oversee operations with active participation from Superintendents of Police, RTOs, and Chief District Medical Officers. Emergency medical care will also be prioritised at crowded locations, ensuring treatment during the “golden hour” for accident victims.
In addition, schools and colleges have been instructed to take responsibility for the safety of students during picnics. Vehicles carrying students must have all valid documents, and teachers or faculty members must accompany them. Meanwhile, the Tourism Department will manage parking, signage, and maintain records of visitor numbers, while road construction agencies will repair damaged stretches and improve signage, hazard markers, and barricades.
Finally, the STA has urged citizens to strictly follow road safety rules, wear helmets and seatbelts, and remain alert to pedestrian safety. Special awareness drives will also address speeding, overloading, and visibility issues caused by winter fog.
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