Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (KM/NR)
Pics: Sphoorti Ullal
Mangalore, Jan 7: Vice-chancellor of Mangalore University, Prof K M Kaveriappa inaugurated the '19th National Road Safety Week' at the district police auditorium here on January 7.
The district administration, transport and police departments have jointly organised the event under the theme “Drive to care! Not to dare!”.
The safety week was launched, with the motive that drivers should drive their vehicle with care and not just dare and drive recklessly. This week is held in order to spread awareness among common people, so as to reduce the number of accidents in the district, and if possible to make the district an accident-free zone.
Western Range IGP A M Prasad presided over the function, while DC M Maheshwar Rao, who is also the chairman of the District Road Safety Committee (DRSC), and deputy transport commissioner (Shimoga division) Maruthi M Sambrani were the chief guests on the occasion.
In his inaugural address prof KM Kaveriappa opined "Drivers and pedestrians should carefully obey the traffic rules, and thereby protect themselves from being prone to the road accidents." Further according to him all traffic rules are laid out for the safety of mankind. "One may feel proud of himself or herself for having violated some traffic rules and got away with it, owing to political clout. But this can never be a safe meaure in the long run," he cautioned.
Elabourating on the matter, he said that majority of the road mishaps occur because of ignoring the statuary warning signs, not making use of seat belts and helmets etc. He also added "it is also my personal observation that accidents may be fatal and gory at blind curves. Obeying road signs at such places especially at unfamiliar places may help the rider in the long run." he advised on a cautionary note.
"Life is so precious and to take birth on earth is a great privilege. No one should miss the opportunity of living and achieving life's goals by living it to the fullest. However, meeting with accidents means taking away this very chance and opportunity to achieve one's goals." were some of the gem of advices Prof Kaveriappa gave in his ardent speech.
The programme was compered by Lenet Castelino. On the occasion the Karnataka State Bus Owners’ Federation president K Rajavarma Ballal was the special invitee, while the regional transport officer D Sadashiva was also present.
Life is so precious and to take birth on earth is a great privilege, every one should not miss the chance of living and achieving goals by living the fullest, meeting with accidents is taking away the chances and opportunity to achieve the goals, he suggested.