Activist brings attitudinal change

“Often top officials and bureaucrats take little interest in following rules meticulously. More often than not, they turn a blind eye to the use of cell phones while driving,” says Senthil. The activist wants to completely do away with this practice. “Talking over the   cell phone while driving vehicles is a major cause of accidents in the city. It damages the driver’s vehicle, other vehicles involved in the accident and occupants of both the vehicles. At times, the enormity of the situation is so huge that innocent people and public property are injured or damaged” he said. 

To deal with the situation, he conducts training programmes for government officials, and corporates to highlight the issue of driving vehicles while talking on mobile phones. Some participants said the programme was a real eye-opener. Only if the youth are involved in a big way, a real transformation is possible. So, I try to catch them young, says Senthil. In order to motivate them to follow traffic rules and inculcate self-discipline, he periodically organises camps, oratorical competitions and skits in schools and colleges. 

“Teachers too must be made aware of various societal issues, only then can they bridge the gap between society and youth. l conduct workshops and quiz competitions for them,” says Senthil. Topics generally covered are road rules, consumer protection, laws governing women, child protection act and so on. Interactive sessions are held in the educational institutions for students and teachers on proper use of cell phones, rash driving and violation of traffic signal rules.    

To put a cap on the issue of youth driving without licence, Senthil has brought out a book – ‘RTO-ready reckoner guide’. It covers various procedures in the RTO, the kind of applications one must submit and the fees for various categories of licences. This book was distributed free recently at an engineering college in Poonamallee. The students received it well.” “The booklet is very useful and we did not know there were applicant-friendly rules to obtain a driving licence,” said a student.  

Time and again Senthil distributes pamphlets with support from like-minded friends, Lions clubs and auto rickshaw drivers. Banners are also put up at private complexes to create awareness on these issues. “Many social activists, corporates and philanthropists are not connected to each other. If this happens it would benefit the public at large in managing traffic violations,” he concludes.