'Procedure of issuing driving licences has to be changed'

: India's first Formula 1 driver Saturday said the procedure of issuing driving licences should be changed as speeding on roads was more dangerous and harmful than motorsport racing.

He said that people, especially youngsters, have to differentiate between driving on roads and the racetrack and added that mishaps can be avoided if individuals drive with responsibility and care.

"The roads cannot be taken granted for racetracks motivating foolishness, though recent vehicles incorporate excellent technology and safety," he said.

Karthikeyan noted that there has been a huge increase in the number of vehicles across various cities. In Coimbatore city alone, around 1.5 Lakh two- wheelers and 23,000 four wheelers are registered annually, he said, while flagging off a marathon here.

It was time that the procedure of issuing licenses was changed he said, adding that speeding vehicles on roads were more dangerous and harmful than motorsport racing.

Marathon IOACON-2018 was organised by the Indian Orthopedic Association and Ganga Hospitals with Uyir forum, an NGO, to create awareness on mishaps and road safety measures.

Around 2,000 people, inlcuding students, athletes, orthopaedic doctors, corporate professionals and children, participated in the event.

Organising Chairman of IOACON 2018 and Clinical Director of Ganga Hospitals, Dr S Rajasekaran, said one person dies every three minutes in India in a road accident. These occur due to individuals carelessness, uncontrolled speed and poor road infrastructure, he said.