For more than 350 autorickshaw drivers affiliated to the Auto Rickshaw Drivers Union (ARDU), it was a workshop of a different kind on Sunday.

These auto drivers sporting red name badges attended an awareness programme organised by the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority on the nitty-gritties of the Motor Vehicles Act, adherence to road safety rules and licence/permit conditions.

Inaugurating the workshop, Karnataka High Court judge Justice V Gopala Gowda stressed the need for strict adherence to rules framed by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) by auto-drivers.

“With the number of vehicles expected to grow, public transport is indispensable. Role of auto-drivers in road discipline and better public awareness is essential,” said Justice Gowda.

H G Srinivasa Murthy, working president of ARDU said the workshop organised by the legal services authority was useful to drivers. “Various issues on driver-public relationship was discussed in the workshop. It will be helpful if police and transport department organise more such workshops” he said.

Mr Murthy added that common complaints like overcharging, refusing to ply to a destination can be reduced to a large extent, if more workshops are organised. “Finally, it is the conscience that should prevail in every driver to create a better public image,” Mr Murthy said.