Berhampur: Students of Ganjam Law College, Berhampur, organised a bike rally to highlight road safety awareness among the public on Sunday.

"I am extremely happy that the students have come up voluntarily to spread the message of road safety. As the students were involved in the effort, I think the message would reach the masses," said traffic inspector Sumant Kisan, who flagged off the bike rally.

The bike rally passed through major thoroughfares and traffic intersections including Engineering School Square, Courtpeta Square, Kamapalli Square, Tata Benz Square, Khallikote College Square and Town Hall Square.

The students also distributed pamphlets on safe driving. The pamphlets highlighted the risk involved in rash driving and using cell phone while driving and the amount of fines for different violations according to the Supreme Court guidelines. They also pointed out the importance of wearing helmet to avoid fatal accidents.

Rajesh Kumar Patnaik, who is a third-year LLB student of Ganjam Law College, said about 80 per cent people are unaware about traffic rules and regulations.

"We decided to volunteer the bike rally to make the public aware about road safety because we are law students and can understand the public better," said Rajesh Kumar Patnaik. Patnaik said only police action was not sufficient. "The public must understand and change their mindset," he said. Kamapalli businessman Prabhat Kumar Patnaik welcomed the bike rally. "The student community and the traffic police personnel should restrict teenagers who ride bikes in reckless manner, putting the lives of commuters at risk," he said.