The awareness of highways/road signages among truck drivers is abysmally low. Time to educate them is of paramount importance from national perspective.

1. Educating Kanhaiya Lal*
Highways/Road Signage Awareness Initiative
Ramesh Kumar
Chairperson
January 2014
* Fictitious Truck Driver’s Name

2. •
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.

3. •
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.

4. •
These drivers managed to get their Heavy Commercial Vehicle (HCV) license
without undergoing any proper driver training. Government is also lax.

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

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

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

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

9. •
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.

10. Ignorance is
NOT
Bliss.
It’s FATAL
• Not knowing highways signs is dangerous. Loss of lives. Loss of goods.
Production or distribution hiccups/challenges. National Loss, yes.

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

12. •
KRK Foundation conducts Highways Signage Awareness Program across India in
association with like-minded stakeholders: 3PLs, HCV OEMs, oil marketing cos.

13. •
In Chennai, an Highways Signage Awareness Program was held in January 2014
first week. Over 30 drivers working for Toll Global Logistics participated.

14. •
Winners at this quiz show were felicitated by Toll Global Logistics, Mahindra
Logistics, Scania Commercial Vehicles, Siddhi Vinayak Logistics, Indian Oil Corpn

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

16. •
At Mayiladuthurai, 250 km from Chennai, truck drivers enthusiastically took part in
Highways Signage Awareness Program, conducted by KRK Foundation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

27. Highways Signage Awareness Programme
is
an ONGOING Initiative.
In all our interest.
Participate.
Write to ramesh@krkfoundation.org for details

28. Highways Signage Awareness Programme
Conceived & Executed by:

29. Thanks!