Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Punjab launches National Road Safety Month-2026 to curb accidents, boost public awareness
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, January 1, 2025: The Punjab Government on Thursday launched National Road Safety Month-2026, aimed at reducing road accidents and strengthening public awareness about traffic safety across the state.
The month-long campaign was inaugurated by Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar at Kisan Bhawan here. Addressing the gathering, the minister said road accidents have severe social consequences and stressed that road safety is a shared responsibility of the government, administration and citizens.
He said a series of awareness and enforcement activities will be carried out throughout the state during the month. These include road safety seminars, poster and slogan competitions, quizzes and interactive sessions in schools and colleges, along with special training and refresher courses for commercial and heavy vehicle drivers.
Bhullar said enforcement drives will focus on violations such as not wearing helmets or seat belts, mobile phone use while driving, over-speeding, wrong-side driving and drunk driving. He added that special checks will be conducted to curb driving under the influence of alcohol, a major cause of fatal accidents.
The minister said engineering measures such as improved signage, speed boards, road markings and corrective works at identified accident black spots will also be undertaken based on past accident data. He advised people to avoid unnecessary travel during foggy conditions and to drive cautiously in low visibility.
Director General, Lead Agency (Road Safety), Punjab, R. Venkata Ratnam, said district road safety committees have been provided ₹9.50 lakh each under the CFDL scheme.
Of this, ₹1 lakh has been earmarked for alcohol meters to strengthen enforcement against drunk driving. Funds may also be used for streetlights, road markings and other safety measures, especially during foggy weather.
DGP (Traffic) Amardeep Singh Rai said strict enforcement remains key to reducing fatalities. He said the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF), which monitors around 4,000 km of highways daily, has led to a nearly 50% reduction in fatalities on state and national highways.
State Transport Commissioner Parneet Shergill said the driving licence testing system has been made stricter and more transparent, resulting in a lower pass percentage and improved driving standards.
As part of the campaign, a motorcycle rally involving around 200 delivery personnel was organised in SAS Nagar (Mohali) to spread road safety awareness.
Senior officials from various departments, members of the State Road Safety Council, traffic police officers and representatives of educational and social organisations attended the event.