Coimbatore : With the increase in number of vehicles, refurbishing the process and procedure of issuing driving licence was imperative, Formula racer Narain Karthikeyan said on Saturday.

Vehicles across cities had gone up and annually around 1.5 lakh two-wheelers and 23,000 four+wheelers were on Coimbatore roads alone, Narain said while flagging off a marathon here.

“It was time to refurbish the process and procedure of issuing a licence. Speeding vehicles on road are more dangerous and harmful than the racing sport,” he said..

People, especially youngsters, had to discriminate driving on roads and racetracks, he said, adding that the road could not be taken for granted as racetracks motivating ‘foolishness’, despite recent vehicles incorporating excellent technology and safety.

Mishaps could be avoided with individuals driving with responsibility and due care, he said.

Marathon IOACON-2018 was organised by Indian Orthopedic Association, Ganga Hospitals with Uyir forum, an NGO to create awareness about mishaps, towards awareness on road safety measures and 2,000 people, including students, athletes, orthopaedic doctors, corporate professionals and children.. DCP (Traffic) Sujith Kumar was among those present at the event.

Organising chairman and Ganga Hospitals clinical director Dr S Rajasekaran, highlighted that awareness on road safety was the motto of the event.