Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Sep 4: District police superintendent Annamalai has said that wearing of helmets will be compulsory from October 1 this year for school and college going students riding two-wheelers. "Their vehicles will be inspected on a daily basis and vehicles of students who do not have a licence will be seized," he said.

He was speaking at an awareness programme held for students on road traffic laws and prevention of crimes at Milagres Church tri-centenary auditorium on Thursday September 3.

"A total of 1,60,000 people have died in accidents during 2014 at the rate of 60 people per day. While China stands first in the number of fatal accidents, India is second. Most of the victims are the youth. Camps such as these are being held in schools and colleges throughout the month of September so that no student dies in road accidents," he said.

"While helmets will be made compulsory for students riding two-wheelers from October 1, their vehicles will be inspected for necessary documents. Their vehicles will be seized if they do not have licence and other records. The parents of the students will be called in such events and the vehicles will be released only after payment of requisite fines," he said.

"If vehicles are parked outside the college campus, the police will seize them. If the student has license and other documents, a sticker will be pasted on the vehicle and it will not be inspected again," he added.

"We are concerned about the rising number of deaths of students in accidents. This bold decision is being taken as a preventive measure. Students should protect their valuable lives. If a student comes across an accident, he should immediately try to save lives or call 100 and report it. As the first one hour in an accident is crucial, all should come forward to act since it is for the good of our own society," he said.

DySP Chandrashekar, Milagres College principal Neri Cornelio, and Milagres Church priest Fr Stany B Lobo were present.