Before the Barbecue, Read the Rulebook—Sivasagar Police’s Picnic Advisory

With December kicking off the much-loved picnic season in Assam, the Sivasagar Police has rolled out a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure that the festive spirit doesn’t lead to road mishaps or unruly behaviour.

Announcing the guidelines, the police appealed to families and picnic groups to follow certain safety precautions while travelling to their chosen destinations.

According to the advisory, the driver must be completely fit, alert and free from any intoxicating substance before starting the journey. They must also ensure that all necessary vehicle documents are carried. The SOP stresses that picnic-goers should only travel after confirming the health and performance of the selected vehicle. To avoid drowsiness-related accidents, the police advise groups to assign an alternate driver if the primary one has driven late into the previous night.

The police further warn against overcrowding vehicles or playing high-volume music, as both can distract the driver and compromise everyone’s safety. Wearing seatbelts has been marked as mandatory for all passengers throughout the ride. The SOP also urges travellers to check weather updates and gather prior information about the picnic spot to avoid unexpected hazards.

Long-distance picnic trips have been discouraged. Groups are advised to begin their journey after sunrise and return from the picnic spot before sunset so that all travel happens during daylight hours. Additionally, any instructions or restrictions issued by the local administration regarding the picnic location must be strictly followed.

Emphasising that these guidelines are meant to ensure a safe and pleasant picnic season for everyone, the Sivasagar Police urged all picnic enthusiasts to maintain discipline, follow the SOP sincerely, and enjoy the winter outings responsibly.

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