To familiarise civil servants with the updated road safety rules and regulations in the country, the Road Safety and Transport Authority (RSTA) has started to conduct a Road Safety Awareness Course.
The course focuses on the importance of following the proper lane, pedestrian crossing, traffic signs, signals, right of way rules and road markings.
The programme officer of RSTA, Sonam Dhendup said, “In the past, we did not have a wide road like we have today. Our roads are being widened and accordingly road markings are being done to meet the requirements of new roads. It’s very important for people to understand new developments.”
Till now, the authority has been focusing on commercial drivers only. For the first time, the employees of the finance ministry took part in the course.
“Many of the civil servants they have been holding the license for quite many years and they haven’t attended any kind of road safety advocacy such as we are conducting today. So, in such case, there are gaps and certain rules are unknown to them, so it is very important that we create awareness to them,” said Sonam Dhendup.
The participants say such an awareness course is beneficial.
“I learnt about many road safety rules, starting from parking our cars to the right of way,” Dungchu Wangdi, a participant, said.
“This advocacy programme will not only help us to follow traffic rules but also benefit us when we travel abroad. And we will disseminate whatever we have learned to our colleagues as well,” Jangchub Dorji, another participant, said.
The authority also plans to include corporate and private sector employees for advocacy programmes.
Pema Seldon Tshering
