Daily Times

LAHORE: Of the total 137 accidents occurring in last two years on national highway in N-5 Central Zone, 62 were due to direct or indirect involvement of motorcyclists. “Unfortunately, motorcyclists’ training programmes were not being conducted and there was no comprehensive strategy for sensitising motorcyclists on highway regulations. Keeping in mind this increase in number of accidents, the central zone has evolved a comprehensive training strategy for motorcycle riders travelling on highways,” said DIG Mirza Faran Baig while reviewing the special training programme for motorcyclists in N-5 Central Zone on Wednesday. SSP Masroor Alam Kolachi was also present on the occasion. The DIG said in Pakistan, most motorcyclists were self-taught in riding skills while no professional training was available in this regard. Under the comprehensive training strategy for motorcycle riders, he said, theoretical and practical training is being provided by the National Highway and Motorway Police (NH&MP) officers (master trainers) on temporary driving track, adjacent to beat camps. “Training manual handbook for motorcyclists with briefing material designed by the Central Zone are being distributed to participants as part of road safety, and at the end of training session, refreshment is also being provided to participants,” he added. Mirza Faran Baig said professional training of various features pertaining to maintenance of balance on the bike, coordination between clutch and brake and other features, including starting and stopping of motorcycle, safely joining highways, importance of safety helmet, motorcycle handling/maintaining balance, narrow plank, bumpy course, slalom riding and emergency braking, were included in this programme.