HT Bureau
DIPHU, Aug 23: The District Road Safety Committee (DRSC) in collaboration with the District Press Club of Karbi Anglong (DPCKA) organised a road safety awareness campaign for students at Rukasen College, Bakulia, on Wednesday. The event took place in the college auditorium and saw active participation from students and teachers.
Bikramaditya Gogoi, the district transport officer (DTO), conducted the awareness campaign. Utilising a projector, he illustrated how road accidents often result from neglecting road safety measures and not exercising caution while on the road. Gogoi presented video footage of a collision in Bokajan involving two bikers who failed to adhere to road safety protocols. In Karbi Anglong alone, 43 lives have been lost due to road accidents.
Gogoi emphasised the importance of wearing helmets while riding motorbikes or scooters. He referred to Section 129 of the Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act, 1988, which mandates both riders and pillion passengers to wear helmets. He stressed the significance of purchasing helmets with ISI marks for safety assurance.
The DTO also highlighted the importance of understanding road signs before applying for a driving license. He explained various road markings, signage, and indications such as stop lines, broken white lines, continuous white lines, and double white lines. Gogoi mentioned the disciplined traffic behavior observed in Aizawl city, where people adhere to traffic rules and refrain from unnecessary honking. He also advised cyclists to use safety equipment and ensure that bicycles have reflectors on the back and spokes.
Addressing the students, Gogoi clarified that individuals below 18 years of age cannot apply for a regular driving license. However, they can apply for a license to ride motorcycles without gears. He cautioned that underage driving could result in hefty fines of up to Rs 25,000 and potential imprisonment.
The event was graced by the presence of senior journalist Sonju Bora, Milan Banik (principal of the college), Raju Dowarah (officer-in-charge, Bakulai police station), and Danielson Bey (secretary, DPCKA).
