Educating Kanhiya Lal

Educating Kanhaiya Lal* Highways/Road Signage Awareness Initiative

Ramesh KumarChairperson

January 2014* Fictitious Truck Driver’s Name

• More than two-thirds of Indian trade and commerce moves on Indian highways. Once upon a time, Railways had an upper hand. Over the years, it had lost out.

• Men at the wheels, facilitating goods movement, are mostly uneducated and opted for ‘drivery’ since they felt they could not fit into any other career.

• These drivers managed to get their Heavy Commercial Vehicle (HCV) license without undergoing any proper driver training. Government is also lax.

• Then how do they learn? From their fathers, uncles, brothers and friends. Who again are trained in this ‘informal’ way only!

• So, their awareness about safety issues is negligible. Hence, highway accidents are a daily occurrence, causing concern.

• Their awareness about highways signages is poor, according to an Automotive Skill Development Council (ASDC) recent survey.

• Why this lethargy? At the time of getting HCV license, licensing authorities NEVER ask drivers about signages. Bribe does the trick.

• Fleet owners, who hire these drivers, are equally lax. None questions them in the light of shortage of drivers. At any point of time, 25% vehicles lying idle.

Ignorance isNOTBliss.

It’s FATAL

• Not knowing highways signs is dangerous. Loss of lives. Loss of goods. Production or distribution hiccups/challenges. National Loss, yes.

• This is where KRK Foundation steps in. A government-registered Trust aiming to improve the working & living conditions of Truck Drivers…

• KRK Foundation conducts Highways Signage Awareness Program across India in association with like-minded stakeholders: 3PLs, HCV OEMs, oil marketing cos.

• In Chennai, an Highways Signage Awareness Program was held in January 2014 first week. Over 30 drivers working for Toll Global Logistics participated.

• Winners at this quiz show were felicitated by Toll Global Logistics, Mahindra Logistics, Scania Commercial Vehicles, Siddhi Vinayak Logistics, Indian Oil Corpn

• Truck drivers outside Karaikkal Port also participated in this Highways Signage Awareness Program conducted by KRK Foudation.

• At Mayiladuthurai, 250 km from Chennai, truck drivers enthusiastically took part in Highways Signage Awareness Program, conducted by KRK Foundation

• Truck drivers, waiting for load at Madhavaram Transport Hub, Chennai, participated in Highways Signage Awareness Program

• Another set of drivers near Tamilnadu-Andhra Pradesh border on NH-5 tried their luck in ‘deciphering’ the Highways Signages. Not all were lucky.

• Quizzing scene @ Andhra Pradesh-Tamilnadu border on NH5 with truck drivers

• Quizzing scene @ Andhra Pradesh-Tamilnadu border on NH5 with truck drivers

• Quizzing scene @ Gadchiroli, Maharashtra in early December at Indian Oil retail outlet. “What’s the benefit of knowing these signs?”, they ask.

• There were hilarious moments too during these interactions. When asked to explain this sign, one driver said: “Run. It’s good for health!”

• Another query from curious drivers: “Will my driving license be cancelled if I give wrong answers?” Yes, the worry is visible.

• By and large, few gave correct answers. But this interaction was used to ‘educate’ them on these signs.

• At Jam intersection, Maharashtra, truck drivers patiently sat through this ‘tutorial’ and rejoiced when gifted with chocolates for correct responses.

Gift Sponsors

> Mahindra Logistics > Siddhi Vinayak Logistics> Indian Oil Corpn> Toll Global Logistics> Scania Commercial Vehicle> VK Enterprises > Maruti Suzuki > Automotive Skill Development Council

Highways Signage Awareness Programme

is an ONGOING Initiative.

In all our interest.

Participate.

Write to ramesh@krkfoundation.org for details

Highways Signage Awareness Programme

Conceived & Executed by:

Thanks!