Road safety awareness campaign held at Rukasen College

DIPHU — The District Road Safety Committee (DRSC) in collaboration with District Press Club of Karbi Anglong (DPCKA) organised a road safety awareness campaign for students of Rukasen College in Bakulia on Wednesday. Bakulia is 51 km from Diphu.

The awareness programme was held at the college auditorium hall, where students and teaching staff of the college participated.

District Transport Officer, Bikramaditya Gogoi while explaining various road safety measures, said that most of the accidents occur because of ignorance and for not being careful while driving.

The DTO explained through illustrations how road accidents are caused. He showed video footage of the Bokajan road incident, where two bikers collided head-on with each other for not following proper road safety measures.

In Karbi Anglong at least 43 persons have lost their lives from road accidents this year.    

Gogoi cautioned the students after observing that many riders and pillion riders were riding without helmets inside the college campus. He said as per section 129 of the Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act, 1988 it is mandatory for both the riders and pillions to wear helmets.

‘While buying a helmet you should see that there is an ISI mark on it,’ said Gogoi.

Gogoi said before applying for a driving license you should know the road signs. The road markings and important signage, stop lines, broken white lines, continuous white lines and double white lines all these indications should be followed while driving.

The DTO also informed the students that before completing 18 years, one cannot apply for a driving license. But anyone below 18 years old can apply for a driving license for a motorcycle without gear (Mopet). A fine of INR 25,000 and jail can be awarded to underage children driving vehicles.

He urged the students to wear helmets while driving two wheelers, to have a driving license and to follow proper road safety measures for safety. He said, ‘Donate blood but not on the road’.

Sonju Bora, senior journalist, advised the students to follow proper road safety measures and to wear helmets while driving two wheelers.

A total of INR 1.20 crore was fined till recently by DTOs in Assam, Bora said.

The programme was also attended by Principal of the college, Milan Banik; O/c, Bakulai police station, Raju Dowarah and secretary, DPCKA, Danielson Bey.

Also read: Road safety awareness campaign begins in Karbi Anglong