Cops 'flex' board to create traffic awareness

When penal fines fail to check traffic violations, it’s emotion that strikes a chord with offenders. That’s what a board at traffic police stall at Dasara Exhibition Grounds does on the visitors, reminding them that ‘You are a dad, son, brother and husband’.

Unlike previous years, the city police, this time, have put up flex boards, only to deliver the message. As many as 18 boards have been put up at the stall near the main entrance, which is yet to be opened.

Most importantly, numbers speak about the dangers lurking outside, with statistics of mishaps — both fatal and non-fatal — over the past 12 years, and also the current year (up to August), on display. 

Till August this year, 94 people have lost their lives in different mishaps, leaving 649 injured. In the year 2012, 137 were killed and 945 were injured, followed by 114 deaths and 1,073 injuries in 2011, 140 and 1,025 in 2010, 138 and 891 in 2009, 174 and 1017 in 2008, 168 and 1119 in 2007, 154 and 1,011 in 2006, 108 and 997 in 2005, 102 and 806 in 2004, 88 and 615 in 2003, 94 and 533 in 2002 and 110 and 585 in 2001, respectively.

Besides, the types of vehicles causing accidents, with the intention of educating vehicular users to be aware of oncoming vehicles is also on the board. 

Though two-wheelers and trucks have claimed most lives during the past eight months at 30 and 13 respectively, cars and light goods vehicles are not behind, claiming 11 and eight lives respectively. 

KSRTC buses and autorickshaws have claimed nine lives each.

Awareness on traffic rules, especially the ongoing helmet drive, removal of tinted glasses (cooling papers), drunk driving, wheeling, rash and reckless driving form the remaining exhibits.

Golden Hour, emphasising on shifting the mishap victims to hospitals that may help save their lives, is highlighted with a quotation “The life of a person is far more important that any legal formalities.”

The stall, which remains open up to 90 days, will also be converted into a classroom, educating the offenders about the do’s and don’ts. Short films and documentaries titled ‘Sarathi’, ‘Sanchara Jagruthi’, besides footages of live accidents will be screened for the benefit of visitors.

DCP (Crime and Traffic) M M Mahadevaiah said, “It is an initiative of the city police to reach not only Mysoreans, but also visitors from across the state at the exhibition”.