Shivashankar B. Amarannavar, District and Sessions Judge, said on Wednesday that basic understanding of law was a must for all citizens.
He flagged off the legal literacy chariot in front of the entrance of the Regional Transport office here.
Later speaking at a function organised by the District Legal Services Authority, Regional Transport Authority and other organisations, here, Mr. Amarannavar said that ignorance of law was no excuse.
“Understanding of law was a necessity and not a matter of choice. People were governed by the law at all times,” he said.
The legal chariot would visit every taluk in the district for four days with the objective of creating awareness about law.
He said that recently, the government had made wearing of helmets compulsory both for riders and pillion riders on two-wheelers.
Instead of wearing the helmets, just because the rule was made compulsory, people should understand the intention behind the rule, he said. Similarly wearing of seat belts in cars was compulsory in big cities.
These and other rules of road safety had been formulated to prevent accidents, enhance safety and save lives, Mr. Amarannavar said.
Viswhwanath Naik, motor vehicle inspector, said that nearly 100 road accidents were being reported in Udupi district every month.
Nearly 30 of these road accidents lead to the loss of life or limbs. Ninety-nine per cent of these accidents occurred due to negligence, he added.
It was pillion riders who were losing their lives in most of the road accidents involving two-wheelers, he said. Riders of two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheelers should realise that the pedestrian had the right of way.
The vehicles should stop and allow the pedestrians and senior citizens to cross the road.
Overtaking of vehicles should be done from the right side only, he said.
Gurumurthy Kulkarni, Senior Regional Transport Officer In-charge, Ramakrishna Rai, Assistant Regional Transport Officer, and Dayananda K., President of Udupi Bar Association, were present on the occasion.
