3/4/2016 Citypoliceconductdrivinglessons

Citypoliceconductdrivinglessons
Author:SonaliShenoy

PublishedDate:Jul19,201110:55PM
LastUpdated:May16,20128:43PM

CHENNAI: Take an early morning stroll at the Marina Beach, and&nbsp you will not be
privyonlytoafewhundredwalkerseveryday,youmightjustspotthosewhomakethetrip
fortherelativel

CHENNAI:TakeanearlymorningstrollattheMarinaBeach,and&nbspyouwillnotbeprivyonlytoafewhundred
walkers everyday, you might just spot those who make the trip for the relatively trafficfree space to learn the
nuancesofdriving.Well,thelisthasbeeninclusiveofladiesinkhakiaswell,sothenexttimeyouthinkofcracking
afewjokesaboutwomendrivers,youmightwanttobeatadcautious.

While it might come as a surprise to the general public, an exclusive wing within the police force in the State,
dedicatedtoimpartingdrivingskillstotheirofficershasbeeninexistenceforover50years.

Infact,TSoundarajan,SubInspectorcumresidentdrivinginstructorswellswithpride,TheChennaiPolicedriving
schoolwasthefirstonetobeauthorisedwithintheState.However,backinthe1960s,therewerenoladypolice
officers,sothepracticeofsuchclassesforwomenstartedonlyin1982.

Thestructureoftheseclassesarenodifferentthanaregulardrivingschool,exceptpointsoutWPC,MKamalaselvi,
theonlychargeisfortheLLRandlicense.Thecourseitselfis45dayslongandisnotcompulsoryforthoseonthe
policeforce,butcanbejoinedoutofinteresttolearntheskillanduseitonthejob.KCDurgaDevi,PCsays,I
underwenttrainingforlightvehiclesin2007andthenheavyvehicleslastyear.SoIknowthatifthereisatransport
strikeofanykind,Icanmovethevehiclesmyselfandnothavetorelyonsomebodyelse.

Apartfromthesepracticalsessions,theChennaiPoliceMotorsportDrivingSchool,Pudupetprovidesavenuefor
lecturesonvehicleupkeepandsafety,completewithminiatureroadmodels,referencechartsandfirstaidtools.
Everypolicevehicleisequippedwithafirstaidkit,emphasisesSoundarajan.However,theselessonsthatoffer
thebasicstobeginnersseemtobetheneedofthehour,inreferencetothenumberofrecruitsthatdonotjoinwith
this much required skill. TR B Balasubranian, Deputy Commissioner, Motor Transport in the city reveals, New
vehiclesgetsanctionedforofficerswithoutdriversthesedays,sowearedefinitelyfacingashortage.

Askedwhethertheselessonsontheroadnominateofficerstohandleanyspecificduties,suchasnightpatrolling
forinstance,hereplies,No,thisisjusttoencouragemoreofourinofficerstolearntodrive.Thewomenofficersare
enthusiasticbutaftermarriageandsometimesduetopersonalreasons,thereconsiderit(driving)arisk.
Copyright2012TheNewIndianExpress.Allrightsreserved.

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