Report by Roydon Roche
Pics by S Naveen D’Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Jan 28: A programme on Road Safety was held on Sunday January 25 in the Holy Family School Hall, Sacred Heart Church, Suratkal. Fr. Antony Lobo, parish priest of Sacred Heart Church presided over the function. Fr Antony Lobo stressed on the need for learning traffic rules and most important of all, following them scrupulously.
Dr Mugulavalli Keshav Dharani, senior motor vehicle inspector, regional transport office Mangalore, delivered a lecture on "Road Safety and Traffic Rules". After beginning his well-prepared lecture with a poem, Dharani left the audience spell bound with his enlightened talk.
The poem itself was full of information about the traffic hazards facing the country. He said the losses due to vehicle accidents went upto Rs. 40,000 crore per year. In our country, road accidents occur once every 2 minutes and a death due to road accidents occurs every 4 minutes. About 40-50% of the accidents involve pedestrians. About 25% involve two-wheelers. If the pedestrians walk on the right hand side of the road, accidents involving pedestrians can be brought down considerably, he opined.
Drivers of the vehicles should be well versed with driving. They need to wear clothes which fit properly (i.e. not too tight) so as to facilitate smooth movement of the clutch, brake pedals etc., should be worn. Drivers should make good use of mirrors so as to have a idea of which vehicles are coming from behind. Whenever a turn has to be taken, the same has be decided 50 metres ahead and proper indication must be given 30 metres before the bend, he explained.
Surendrappa, assistant regional transport officer, Mangalore answered various queries raised by the audience and stressed the need for obtaining a driving licence.
The programme was organized by St Christopher Association of Suratkal, which is an organization of vehicle owners and drivers of the churches located in Suratkal, Mukka, Katipalla and Pezar.
Celine D'Souza, president of the Association welcomed the gathering. George Ligoury D'Souza, secretary, proposed vote of thanks. Peter Paul D'Souza, vice president of the parish council was present at the dais. Gretta Pinto, vice president compered the programme.
Vida Pereira was the convener of the programme.