CII JOINS HANDS WITH AAUI TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Automobile Association of Upper India (AAUI) to promote road safety. The agreement was signed on the fringes of a Seminar on Transport & Tourism : Towards a Better Future for Delhi, organised by CII. As per the MoU, CII and AAUI would work together by synergising the expertise, knowledge and network of both the organisations by focussing on improving road safety by imparting training on driving and road safety to member companies of CII. Amongst other initiatives, CII would also promote the setting up of computerized pollution testing centres through its membership, according to the release. While pursuing specific actions in the above areas, CII and AAUI will continue to explore new areas of opportunities within the broad framework of this MoU. According to the press release, Delhi would be the initial focal point for this initiative, especially in view of the fact that Delhi has the unique distinction of the maximum number of road accidents in the country in a year. This initiative is part of an overall campaign of the Delhi State Council of CII for improving the quality of life in the nation's capital the release stated.

SAFE SCHOOL BUS 2003

Automobile Association of Upper India (AAUI) and Delhi Public School Society have signed an MOU to launch a unique project to promote safety of school going children. In a decision taken in the recent meeting chaired by Transport Commissioner Delhi, the need was felt to educate the School bus drivers, conductors, school children and parents to deal with the new menace on capital's roads taking toll of innocent lives of school children in crashes involving school buses. AAUI has already commenced special courses to upgrade driving skills of the drivers deployed on school bus duties. A new integrated syllabus for this purpose duly approved by the Transport Department has been introduced with important features:a) Skill in handling the vehicles;
b) Stress management and relaxation techniques;
c) Child psychology;
d) Driving habits;
e) Compulsory reflexes test and eye examination;
f) Evaluation.

Project 'Safe School Bus 2003' will cover 1800 contract carriage buses, more than 1000 DTC buses, Rural Transport Vehicles (RTVs) engaged in transporting school children. The AAUI and Delhi Public School........ brought out a brochure "School Bus Safety Law' and a booklet on 'ABC of Road Safety' for distribution to Schools and students for awareness. School Transport including RTV school buses are supposed to comply with all norms as per Delhi Motor Vehicle Rules.

The brochure "Know Delhi Motor Vehicle Rules" brought out by AAUI when handed over to the drivers by the respective Schools will serve as an instant reminder for drivers to adhere to the rules.It is proposed to hold six Workshops during the year with active participation of DPS Society and various other Schools to provide a common platform to school management, parents, students, drivers and conductors to learn by interacting on safety related aspects of school transport. Road Safety experts will be associated with this programme.

HEAVY MOTOR VEHICLES DRIVERS TO ATTEND REFRESHER COURSES IN AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION OF UPPER INDIA (AAUI) AND INSTITUTE OF DRIVING TRAINING RESEARCH (IDTR)

It is now mandatory for the commercial vehicle drivers including school bus drivers to undergo refresher courses in AAUI and IDTR. Their driving licences will be renewed only if they successfully undergo these courses and obtain a certificate thereof. The Hon'ble Delhi High Court has directed Delhi Government to open more such Institutions within the next two years to meet with the requirements. The directions by the Hon'ble High Court were issued in view of serious accidents in which school buses and other heavy motor vehicles have been involved in the recent past. Regular courses are now being conducted by these two Institutions. AAUI has also brought out a brochure on School Bus Safety Law for distribution to the Schools and drivers.

AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION OF UPPER INDIA

VEHICLE INSURANCE

The Tariff Advisory Committee (General Insurance) has notified a number of changes in the vehicle insurance w.e.f. 1st July, 02. Some of the important changes affecting our members for Car / Two-wheeler Insurance are given below for guidance of our members:-

1. Revision in Insurance Premium
Minimum premium for a Car Insurance is now Rs.100/-. Minimum insurance premium for 3rd Party, has been enhanced to Rs.630/- for Car. For small car upto 1000CC and correspondingly more for higher capacity car.

2. India has been divided into two zones i.e. A & B. Metro cities Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune are listed under Zone-A for which the rates of premium are higher. Rest of India comes in Zone-B with lesser rates.

3. Rebate to AAUI Members

a) The rebate to AAUI members has been raised from Rs.100/- to Rs.200/- @5 percent of the premium whichever is lesser.
b) Rebate in Case An Anti-Theft System is installed in the Car : There is a rebate of 2.5 percent (maximum of Rs.500/-) for Anti Theft device fitted in the car approved by Automobile Research Association of India (ARAI), Pune. The installation of the device is to be certified by AAUI.

4. Short Term Insurance

a) For periods of 1 month to 8 months, minimum premium will be 10% in addition to 10% for each month. Full premium will be charged for more than 8 months.
b) Loading upto 100 percent can be made in case a policy making frequent accident claims CNG/LPG Kit fitter are charged 60 percent extra towards 3rd party insurance.
c) Vehicles taking part in rallies / races are charged @Rs.60/- for first day and Rs.30/- for every additional day, for comprehensive insurance and Rs.25/- for first day and Rs.15/- for subsequent day towards 3rd party insurance.
d) For claim purpose no depreciation is made on glass items. However, for fibre glass items, a depreciation of Rs.30 percent and for nylon tyre, plastic, rubber and battery etc. depreciation of 55 percent is made.

5. Vintage Cars

All Cars manufactured before 31st Dec., 1940 are classified as Vintage Cars. The premium on Vintage Cars is as per agreed value of the Car.

6. Transfer of Policy at the Time of Sale to another person

Rs. 50/- is charged for issue of a new certificate at the time of transfer or a duplicate insurance certificate in case the certificate is lost or damaged. The rate of 'No Claim Bonus' is limited to 20 percent for first year, 25 percent for 2nd year, 35 percent for 3rd year, 45 percent for 4th year and 50 percent after 5 years i.e. maximum.

In case No Claim Bonus is to be claimed when the advice from the renewal notice from the Insurance Companies, has not been received an undertaking certificate as follows has to be given by the Policy holder:

"I declare that the rate of NCB claimed by me is correct and that no claim has arisen in the expiring policy period (Copy of the Policy enclosed). I further undertake that if this declaration is found to be incorrect, all benefits under the policy in respect of Section-I of the Policy will stand forefeited."

7. Commercial Driver

A commercial driver or a driver employee needs a separate insurance cover for injuries etc. at a fees of Rs.100/- upto a cover of Rs.2 Lac.

The Insurance policy cannot be lesser than Rs.15,000/- for a Small car i.e. upto 1000CC and Rs.20,000/- for a Car of 1500 CC and Rs.30,000/- for capacities higher than 1500 CC.

Our International Distinguished Visitor Ms. Deborah Smith, Head Customs Affairs, Geneve (Switzerland) of AIT/FIA

She was the Chief Guest in the Reception hosted by Automobile Association of Upper India (AAUI) and Unity International Foundation in New Delhi on February 19, 2003, 2003.Ms. Smith was in India to hold high level meetings with the Ministry of Finance and Department of Tourism to facilitate travel of tourists from across
International borders with their vehicles into India without payment of customs duties. India is signatory to 1954 UN Convention which provides for temporary importation of vehicles by visiting foreign tourists.Seen interacting in the photograph are
Mr. T. K.Malhotra, AAUI President, Ms. D. Smith and
Mr. Bezbaruah, Former Secretary, Department of Tourism, Govt. of India

SHOW YOUR CARD & SAVE (SYC&S)

We are excited about the ongoing globalization of member savings opportunities and want to share with you some of the latest news regarding and globalization of the show Your Card & save (SYC & S) programme in which many Automobiles Associations such as your Association-Automobile Association of Upper India(AAUI) affiliated with the Alliance International De Tourism and Federation of International Automobiles Association have participated in the past:

Highlights of the news 2002 SYC & S global card include:

Travel the world & save with AAA and ARC Europe

Highlights of our 2002 SYC & S (SyC!) Global membership include:

The news AAA/CAA/ARC Europe partnership:
These organism are now working together in a global partnership to provide our members with savings at partner locations all over the world.
These are more than 10000 SyC! Lodging, attraction, dining and travel partner locations throughout ARC Europe countries.
There are more than 4000 travel, lodging, entertainment, dining and retail partner locations throughout the United States and Canada.

Note:- Members may please contact Secretary, AAUI for more information on the Show Your Card & Save programme and how to obtain the additonal card for their use.

TRUCK DRIVING COMPUTER BASED SIMULATOR SYSTEM

AAUI Driving Institute has now been recognised by Deptt. Of Transport, Govt. of NCT of Delhi to conduct two-day Refresher Courses for Bus, Truck and other Heavy Motor Vehicle Drivers. It is mandatory for this class of drivers to undergo this course to enable them to renew their driving licences.

Transporters / Corporates and Fleet owners may depute their drivers to the AAUI for training.

For further information, please contact :
Lt.Col. J.R. Kochhar, Secretary, AAUI, Tel.No. 26611034

TRANSPORT MINISTER AJAY MAKEN ON A 'TEST DRIVE' OF ELECTRONIC TRUCK SIMULATOR

Honouring the visit of Ajay Maken, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Power to the AAUI Driving Training School on the 5th February 2002, AAUI President, Mr. T.K. Malhotra offered the facility to evaluate Driving skills of DTC Drivers. The AAUI has set up the State of the Art Electronic Simulator System to improve psychological aptitude of city drivers by subjecting them to Refresher Courses. The equipment has been imported with the financial assistance of the Minister of Road Transport and Highways.

Speaking on the occasion the Minister desired that the Schools in Delhi should voluntarily depute their drivers for Refresher Courses conducted by the AAUI otherwise Government may consider taking steps to make it mandatory in the interest of safe transportation of School Children.

DTC Chairman Rakesh Mehta who also graced the occasion was highly appreciative of the training and Refresher Courses devised by the AAUI. The AAUI has also installed an equipment to conduct Reflexes Tests of the Drivers.

Certificates and premium paid insurance policies of Rs.1 lac each were also distributed by the Minister to the truck and school bus drivers who participated in a Two-day Refresher Course (AAUI).

Rail Road Watch

We deeply appreciate support of millions of viewers to the Rail Road Watch, the show which brought to you news, views and awareness on safe driving and alternate modes of travel.

The programme completed its combined series of 152 episodes with telecast of the last episode on 23rd February, 2002 on DD Metro.

We are off the air now but shall be back soon with wider spectrum of themes on safe driving and alternate mode of Rail travel.

FOR UNENDING JOURNEY WITH RAIL ROAD WATCH AWAIT FUTURE ANNOUNCEMENTS

ALL EYES ON DD METRO

This television programme helps disseminate information on the modernisation of Indian Railways.

The Public Relation Directorate has organized participation of the Ministry of Railways in Rail Road Watch programme on DD Metro at 1730 hours every Saturday beginning 20th January 2001 upto 14th July 2001. The programme will be telecast in 26 episodes.

The 30 minute Rail Road Watch Programme has 10 minutes exclusively dedicated to information dissemination on Indian Railways and another 30 seconds for telecast of informative TV spot. The Rail Road Watch programme is being produced by a non-governmental organization- "Automobile Association of Upper India" - which was earlier producing and telecasting Road Watch programme on DD Metro for more than 100 episodes with the primary objective of educating road-users on road safety measures. Now, this programme would cover rail-related information as well for rail-users.

Considering the impact of audio-visual publicity upon the mind of the viewers. The reach of DD Metro to 158 million viewers through high-powered transmission in India and in middle-east and far-east countries, it was considered appropriate to disseminate positive aspects of rail working to the public in a direct, focussed and cost-effective manner. Theme programmes on matters of public interest are being telecast in this venture. Some of the times identified are Modernisation of Platform Services, Upgrading Catering Services in trains, Role of Railway Protection Force, Promotion of Tourism by Indian Railways, Upgrading Track Technology, Evolution of Railway Coaches, Perspective Planning, Safety Awareness, Training of frontline staff in Customer Care, Role of Railway Medical Services, New Freight Marketing Strategies, New Partnership Projects with State Governments, Passenger Amenities, Vigilance Awareness, Romance of Hill Railways (Kalka-Shimla, Neral-Matheran, New Jalpaiguri-Darjeeling, Coimbatore-Ootacamund), Signalling improvements, and Leaps of Telecommunication on the Indian Railways.

ROAD SAFETY BOOKLET RELEASED IN MADRAS

The ABC Booklet of Road Safety written by T.K. Malhotra, President Automobile Association of Upper India was released by Amarjit Singh, Chairman, Programme Implementation Committee, Govt. of India, Ministry of Surface Transport in Madras on the 16th March, 1996. Speaking in the function organised by Automobile Association of Southern India, Punjab Association, Mr. Singh drew the attention of road users to the growing rate accidents in the country.

He said the rapid increase (15-20% per annum) in number of vehicles was creating a lot of problems. A four-lane traffic system would be insufficient, and what would be needed was a six-lane system. This was impossible, as, a lot of investment was required. Existing resources needed to be mobilised to solve the problem. The whole community should be involved in inculcating traffic sense among road-users.

Though India had only 1.5 percent of the total vehicles in the world, it accounted for 6.5 percent of global accidents. A good trauma care facility was also required, as 40 percent of the accident victims could be saved with timely treatment. With the recent constitutional amendment, doctors and police were bound to extend treatment immediately to the accident victims.

Though India had only 1.5 percent of the total vehicles in the world, It accounted for 6.5 percent of global accidents. A good trauma care facility was also required, as 40 percent of the accident victims could be saved with timely treatment

CHILDREN ARE NO "GOODS"

India is marching ahead with the literacy drive and schools are mushrooming to cope up with the pan Indian literacy movement. So is the case of India's capital Delhi where schooling has become the primary sector in the Govt. Educational endeavour. But then literacy is on the move.

It is painful to see that 10 to 15 children are stacked in a small autorickshaw with school bags and water bottles hanging around the vehicle--Dear parents will you devote sometime on this subject?

The striking problem of school transportation has come to the fore, especially when the neo public School culture has come in vogue. Sordidly enough when parents / school authorities, are marching ahead with modernisation, they are at the same time ignoring the vital aspect of school transportation. Most schools in Delhi do not have their own school transportation this relying on hazardous modes of transportation e.g TSR Rickshaws, Tongas etc. it is painful to see that 10-15 children are stacked in a small autorickshaw with school bags and water bottles hanging around the vehicle.

The innocent children while travelling smile out and enjoy their ride. But they are unaware of the fact that if such overloaded autorickshaw overturns those tiny laughs / smiles turn into agony and mourning. Perhaps at this juncture parents who spend so much money on schooling should try to understand the hidden chances of pot holes which are a demon's laugh at the back of the miserable school transportation options. Be it overloaded autorickshaw, cycle rickshaw, Tonga all are very near to accidents. It is an open question to the school authorities who boast of modernisation would continue to think that school transportation is not just their headache.

Ask a child whether he or she loves to be treated as "goods". No never. They are our future citizens and they need protection / care from one and all. Dear parents are you listening? How long you will continue with this adhoc culture, and risk the lives of your most loved ones? Reaching school is as important as their reaching home 'safely'.