Chathannoor: In a bid to put in place safe motoring practices on the highways, the police have initiated a road reality test dubbed ‘U Turn’. As part of this initiative, cops are secretly gauging the skills of drivers. Interestingly, only four cleared the test out of 100 drivers who were under the lens here in Kollam district.
The project is piloted by SP Jawahar Janardhan with the cooperation of the Motor Vehicles Department and Life Skills, an NGO. It is being implemented to coincide with the World Mental Health Day (Oct 10) and the International Trauma Care Day (Oct 17).
The drivers’ physical and mental capabilities along with their level of alertness is being assessed at five centres with the help of psychologists. Moreover, the drivers’ approach towards pedestrians waiting on zebra crossing, whether they are following the traffic signals, and fastening the seat belts while driving will also be monitored.
Tendency for overspeeding, overtaking, and talking on phone while driving are also being gauged as part of the road reality test. As part of the test, the officials concerned may follow the vehicle or travel with the driver.
A questionnaire would be given to the drivers at the refreshment point at Parippally. Drivers found following the road rules would be given an appreciation certificate, and those who didn’t make the cut would be given a notice, said the SP.
