Bhubaneswar: The transport department on Thursday started an awareness drive with a workshop on road safety in the city.

Around 500 participants belonging to 150 private and government schools took part in the workshop, organised by regional transport office, Bhubaneswar II.

Transport officials said measures would be taken to engage schoolchildren in road safety related matters.

Transport commissioner Sanjeeb Panda said schoolchildren would be involved in the road safety awareness programmes. "Dos and don'ts related to road safety will be displayed in schools, which are also advised to conduct monthly activities such as group discussion and practical sessions on roads along with experts," said Panda.

The state witnessed 7 per cent increase in road accident casualties. The state witnessed 10,855 road mishaps in 2017 as compared to 10,532 in 2016. While 4,790 people died in road accidents in the state in 2017, the death toll stood at 4,463 in 2016. Similarly, more than 11,000 people had been injured during 2017.

Regional transport officer, Bhubaneswar II, S.K. Behera said the school authorities had been asked to sensitise the parents not to allow their children drive vehicles without licence. "We will crackdown on school students riding motorcycles without licence and helmet after few months

Participants stressed upon regular interaction by the transport department. "Such kind of workshops should be organised for schoolchildren as well. Transport officials should also visit the schools regularly to interact with the students," said Basanti Panda, headmistress of Badagada Government High School.