HT Bureau
DIPHU, Nov 7: In an effort to promote road safety and awareness, the District Road Safety Committee (DRSC) in collaboration with the District Press Club of Karbi Anglong (DPCKA) organized a comprehensive road safety campaign with the theme ‘Road Safety, Safety to Life’ across schools and colleges.
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One such awareness campaign took place at Karkok HS School, Karkok, situated along NH-29. Senior journalist Sonju Bora addressed the attending students and teachers, shedding light on the sobering statistics of road accidents in India. He emphasized that in India, around 1,130 individuals lose their lives in road accidents. In Karbi Anglong alone, there have been 53 road-related fatalities reported until October this year, with last year’s death toll recorded at 60.
Bora delivered essential road safety guidelines, stressing the importance of wearing helmets for both riders and pillions on two-wheelers. He emphasized that wearing helmets shouldn’t be seen as a way to bypass police checks but as a fundamental safety measure. Bora urged the students to opt for ISI-marked helmets and also highlighted that individuals below 18 years of age are not permitted to drive two, three, or four-wheelers and should not possess driving licenses. Violators of this regulation face penalties.
Discussing the primary causes of road accidents, Bora pointed out that overspeeding accounts for 64.4% of fatalities, lack of helmet usage stands at 28.8%, non-compliance with seat belt regulations at 16.4%, drinking while driving at 2.5%, wrong-way driving at 5.8%, and mobile phone distractions at 2.4%.
Danielson Bey, the General Secretary of DPCKA, stressed the importance of having reflectors on bicycles for better visibility at night. He also encouraged pedestrians to wear bright-colored clothes when walking during darker hours.
Addressing the students, Bey underscored the value of life, urging responsible driving and adherence to speed limits, especially when operating scooters or two-wheelers.
The program saw the presence of Principal Ramsing Engti.
Similar sessions were conducted at Jeng Rongpi English HS School, Laughing Pamgaon HS School, and Thongnokbe College, Dokmoka, with collaborative efforts from the Domoka Press Club and Phuloni Press Club. The collective initiative aimed to instill crucial road safety awareness among students and the community at large.
