NGO to campaign against footboard travel

Thozhan, which works extensively in the field of road safety and has organised many awareness campaigns, this time has planned a pan-city campaign involving several hundreds of volunteers from different parts of the city as part of its drive to sensitise commuters to the dangers of travelling on the footboard. 

“Footboard travel has resulted in a number of fatal accidents in the city. More than 60 per cent of foot board travellers are school or college students and 90 per cent of the victims are aged between 16 and 24,” says M. Radhakrishnan, organiser of the campaign. 

For many youngsters boarding a bus in motion or travelling on the footboard is an adventure.  In December last year, around 15 school students were injured when the footboard caved in after the bus plying at a high speed hit a bump. Also, late last year, a class XII student lost life after he slipped off from the footboard in Agaramthen. 

“If you look at these cases, most of the time it is more than one person who is injured. This is part of the Republic Day celebrations, but we decided to organise the campaign on a week day between 7 am and 8.45 am. This is the time when most students go to their schools by buses.” 

The campaign will extend from Parry’s Corner to Tiruvanmiyur and from Poonamallee to Santhome. “There will be volunteers at 67 bus stands and depots. Some of them will travel by buses from one stop till the destination, distributing pamphlets and campaign among those travelling on the footboard explaining the disadvantages and dangers involved in it. 

Apart from this, entertainment shows like mime acts and music shows will be organised at various vantage points to encourage participation and to draw public attention,” says Radhakrishnan adding that there would also be survivors who would be volunteering to share their experiences. 

Srivatsa V. in 2003 survived an accident and had to be bed-ridden for around two years. “It’s pointless to lose precious life and time over ignorance. I have seen kids carelessly hanging from the bus and chasing them thinking they are part of a Bond movie. Sharing personal experiences will make a strong impact and highlight the seriousness of the issue. Also, deploying more buses, especially for school children, will be a key solution to the problem.” 

Thozhan is looking for more volunteers for the campaign. For details, SMS ‘Road Safety’ to 9941142188 or visit www.thozhan.org.