Pics: Ramesh Pandith / Spoorthi Ullal
Daijworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)
Mangaluru, Jan 12: The 27th National Road Safety Week was inaugurated at Police Bhavan here on Tuesday January 12.
Prior to the inauguration, a colourful rally was held from Lighthouse Hill to Police Bhavan in which NCC, scouts and guides and students participated, holding placards to create awarness on road safety. The rally was flagged off by district incharge minister Ramanath Rai. The new rule on mandatory helmet for pillion riders also formally came into effect.
Delivering the keynote address, assistant regional transport officer (RTO) G S Hegde said that licences of those who speak on mobile phones or violate other traffic rules will be suspended for a period of three months.
"The Karnataka government has implemented new transport policy in the state. As per the orders of the Supreme Court, a few strict guidelines will be followed. Licences will be suspended for three months if the driver/rider is found speaking over the phone while driving/riding. The three-month suspension applies even for those jumping the signals, transporting people on goods lorries and drunken driving. Hence people have to be careful about violating the rules.
"Today, 125 two-wheerlers and 40-50 cars are registered every day in the city. Hence there is a drastic rise in the traffic density. The RTO has shifted its fitness inspection unit to Bangrakulur. In the coming days a week-long training programme will also be conducted for every driver who comes to renew his licence so as to make him aware of the new rules," he said.
MLA of Mangaluru South constituency J R Lobo called upon everyone to be traffic wardens. "It is easy to comment about traffic issues. If most of us work for at least an hour in the week as traffic wardens, we can contribute to solving the issue.
"It has become a bad habit to honk unnecessarily. Especially, the buses moving through the Balmatta area have been a reason for noise pollution. If each one of us exercises patience, then these issues can be solved," he opined.
He also pointed out that traffic constables at Nantoor circle are found using mobile phones which is resulting in traffic jams and suggested banning usage of mobile phones during duty hours.
Superintendent of police of Dakshina Kannada Dr S D Sharanappa said that people who survive accidents are better at following traffic rules. "Be it wearing helmet or wearing the seatbelt, people are least bothered about their safety. We have to keep in mind that life can be lived only once. We should not make our parents and dependents regret the accident we meet with.
"In a recent meeting with the senior citizens' association, we heard many complaints of harsh behavior from drivers and conductors of private buses in the district. I request the vice-president of the Canara Bus Owners' Association to conduct soft skills training for drivers and conductors of private buses," the SP said.
The MD of Karnataka Bank released awareness pamphlets while J R Lobo released a booklet on traffic awareness. The DCPs of Mangaluru commissionerate Shantharaju and Dr Sandeep Patil released an awareness calender.
DCP (crime) Dr Sandeep Patil welcomed the gathering.
Senior traffic warden of the city Joe Gonsalves, vice-president of Canara Bus Owners' Association K M Narayan and others were present.