KK-PSO RoadSense Programme
Introduction

According to available statistics, 26% of fatal accidents on Karachi roads involve young people. Where all drivers need to be mindful on the roads, we need also to make our future generation aware of traffic rules and procedures for the sake of their own safety and for them to grow up as responsible citizens. It was for this purpose that the KaravanKarachi–PSO Road Sense Programme was devised. This programme was a collaborative effort of KK, Traffic Police and City Government (Transport department) and was sponsored by Pakistan State Oil Company Ltd. It was developed by experts in the field to achieve the best results.

It was our intention to reach out to as many schools as possible and help the registered schools conduct programmes according to guidelines and manuals prepared for this purpose. The participant schools included an array of private and public schools. Winners and participants were awarded prizes and certificates respectively.

Components of the Programme
The KK – PSO Road Sense Programme had the following components:

• Function at PSO House Podium, Clifton Road (Last Wednesday of every month throughout the year 2002 starting from 30th January, 2002)
• Outreach Programme: Road Sense Week (5 day programme alongwith Road Sense Manual for schools to conduct in-house Road sense Workshops)
• Monthly Road Sense Poster Competition (Exhibition of Posters made by schools participating in the programme during the month)

A large number of private, public schools disabilities participated in this programme. The schools, children and parents all participated enthusiastically in these programmes. This helped us to address this very serious issue and to raise awareness amongst all these groups regarding Traffic Safety. The Poster Competition was an added attraction as children came forth with bright ideas on various aspects of Traffic Safety and presented them through a kaleidoscope of colour. The monthly Poster exhibitions held at PSO House served to further encourage the children.

The PSO House Assembly held on the last Wednesday of each month included an address by the Chief Guest, a briefing regarding traffic rules and road safety procedures and a demonstration by the Traffic Police. The children would then participate in a Question Answer Session and a Road Sense Quiz. The programme would end with prizes for the winners followed by Street Theatre and Refreshments. The children thoroughly enjoyed every segment of these Assemblies which introduced them to Road Safety measures in a fun way.

Various Workshops were conducted by schools under the Outreach Programme. The first three were held at Shahwilayat School, Hampton School and Government schools respectively.

The first road Sense Week was inaugurated on the 14th of January, 2002 at Shahwilayat School which was the first school, to participate in the KK-PSO Road Sense Programme. On the 15th, Shahwilayat students will work on their entries for the PSO Road Sense poster competition and Traffic Police Officers deputed by DIG Traffic gave a live demonstration on traffic rules and answered questions. On the 16th there was a poster making competition and a quiz competition on Road Sense. A Grand Quiz was held on the 17th and on the 18th parents were invited to the poster display and were asked to sign pledges. The 20 best poster out of these were selected for the Monthly Road sense Posters Competition at the PSO House Atrium.

KK-PSO RoadSense 1st Workshop
Venue: Shahwilayat Public School
Date:15 Jan, 2002

KaravanKarachi’s First Road Sense Workshop took place at Shahwilayat Public School in Federal “B” Area. This initiative is part of an ongoing KaravanKarachi Road Sense Programme.

SubInspector (Traffic) Atiq and DSP Mariam Kazi gave a demonstration of traffic rules and safety to two hundred students and answered their questions. They focused on spreading awareness amongst the youngsters about safely walking on footpaths, negotiating traffic when crossing roads and how to behave in moving vehicles.

The students asked SubInspector Atiq a range of questions from “Why do traffic policemen accept bribes?” to “Which side of the road should one walk on when there is no footpath?”

Poster Competition: Shahawilayat students are taking part in an ongoing Poster Competition on Road Sense. They held their workshop around a model road they had constructed in their school, which included toy cars, zebra crossings, footpaths and stop lines. Many of the students had also made themselves traffic signal caps and sashes which they wore through out the demonstration.

KK-PSO RoadSense 2nd Workshop
Venue: Hampton School
Date: March, 2002

KaravanKarachi’s Second Road Sense Workshop took place at Hampton School. This initiative is part of an ongoing KaravanKarachi Road Sense Programme.

SubInspector (Traffic) Atiq gave a demonstration of traffic rules and safety to two hundred students and answered their questions. They focused on spreading awareness amongst the youngsters about safely walking on footpaths, negotiating traffic when crossing roads and how to behave in moving vehicles.

The students asked SubInspector Atiq a range of questions.

Poster Competition: Hampton School students are taking part in an ongoing Poster Competition on Road Sense.

KK-PSO RoadSense 3rd Workshop
Venue: Government Schools
Date: April, 2002

KaravanKarachi’s Third Road Sense Workshop took place at Government School. This initiative is part of an ongoing KaravanKarachi Road Sense Programme.

SubInspector (Traffic) Atiq gave a demonstration of traffic rules and safety to two hundred students and answered their questions. They focused on spreading awareness amongst the youngsters about safely walking on footpaths, negotiating traffic when crossing roads and how to behave in moving vehicles.

The students asked SubInspector Atiq a range of questions.

Poster Competition: Government School students took part in an ongoing Poster Competition on Road Sense.

KK Poster Competition
Shahwilayat Public School, February 2002
Hampton School, March 2002
Government School, March and April 2002

The students from all schools made interesting and thought-provoking posters on the theme of Road Safety. As part of their KK PSO Road Sense Workshop students were asked to make posters on the theme of Road Safety and Traffic Rules as they understood them. This poster competition was held to give the students an interactive way to demonstrate their understanding of traffic rules. Their posters depicted scenes on roads, how accidents are caused through carelessness and people breaking traffic rules. The posters, which were displayed at the PSO House atrium, really showed that even though children don’t drive, they are aware of the mistakes grown ups make. Posters marked with the PSO logo represent the winning entries.


Road Sense Walk
A Road Sense Walk was also conducted by KaravanKarachi on April, 21st , 2002 to reinforce the need and importance of programmes such as the Karavan Karachi Road Sense Programme. This event also provided the opportunity to not only involve the general public but also to place before the general public the enormous work done by school children under the KKPSO Road Sense Programme. The walk was conducted from Polo Ground (Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Road), going past the Gymkhana Club, past Hotel Metropole and end at Fatima Jinnah Road (rear of Frere Hall) At Fatima Jinnah Road arrangements were made for theatre performances especially by Street Theatre Groups as well as schools. The whole route was gaily decorated with banners and buntings. The mounted police alongwith police bands and numerous school bands performed at the Road sense function and added a festive air to the whole event.