Joe Gonsalves Flags Off ICYM Bike Rally for Road Safety Awareness
Mangaluru: To mark the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the ICYM, Mangaluru diocese held a bike rally to bring awareness on road safety, from the Rosario Cathedral here on October 2.
The programme began with an invocation. Parish Priest of Rosario Cathedral Fr J B Crasta led the prayers and a one minute silence was observed for the 18 brave souls, who sacrificed their lives in the Uri terror attack.
Fr Crasta speaking on the occasion said that the soldiers who died in the Uri attack have sacrificed their lives for the country and their families are in grief. Let the families of all the 18 soldiers get the strength to bear the loss of their dear ones. May their souls rest in peace.
Chief Whip of Karnataka Legislative Assembly Ivan D’Souza said, “In Mangaluru 98% of the deaths in road accidents are those of the two-wheeler riders. They do not wear helmets when they meet with an accident, their head hits the road or divider and they die on the spot. If you wear the helmet you can at least save your head from injury. If there is a fracture to the hands or legs, it can be treated. But if you suffer a head injury it is very difficult to treat, and even if anyone survives with head injuries, it will be difficult to lead a normal life and will be a pain for the victim’s family and everyone around him. So it is better to bring awareness among the youth and see that every two-wheeler rider wears a helmet”.
Ivan also said, “We see youth in the age group of 16 – 28 riding powerful bikes of up to 400CC, and some bikes even up to 1000CC. While riding motorbikes or any vehicle we need to strictly follow the traffic rules. The government will soon bring strict traffic rules, where the penalty will be very high. If a person violates the traffic rules thrice, his license will be cancelled along with a high penalty. Many of the youth do not have a proper license, a person having a two-wheeler license drives a car, those having light vehicle license drive a bus and so…on misusing their license, penalty for such violations will be heavy. In gulf countries, police will monitor vehicle movements through radars, if you violate the law, your monthly salary will not be enough to pay the fines”.
He further said, “Under the central Motor act 1998, we are bringing the road safety act after which if anyone violates the traffic rules heavy fines will be imposed. Even for parking vehicles in no parking zones, there will be heavy fines. More than 15-year-old vehicles will have to be disposed. Changes will be brought in the driving tests. A computerized driving school will be started in Mangaluru, in this regard a committee has been formed. Tests will be done with the help of computers where the license will be issued based on the performance”.
In Mangaluru we have traffic wardens serving at various places, ICYM youth should join the TWS and serve. If anyone is interested we will help them join. Ivan stressed and said that ICYM has helped him develop his leadership qualities and discipline in life because of which he has reached where he is today.
95 year young Chief Traffic warden, Joe Gonsalves speaking on the occasion said that the youth should join the traffic warden squad to be disciplined and understand the importance of life.
Later Joe Gonsalves flagged off the bike rally from Rosario Cathedral which culminated at the Jeppu Seminary. John D’Silva delivered a talk on traffic issues.