Drive Safe, Live Long: Dehradun's High-Spirited Campaign to Tame Traffic Chaos...
Dehradun: The winding roads and bustling streets in the city and across Uttarakhand have recently turned into harrowing scenes of tragedy.
A series of heart-wrenching road accidents, claiming young lives, has jolted the citizens into action.
Taking the lead, the Dehradun Citizens’ Forum (DCF) has launched a spirited campaign to instill a culture of safe driving, reaching every corner of the city – from bustling malls to popular watering holes.
This week, the forum struck a chord where it mattered most – at the highly popular Romeo Lane bar on Rajpur Road.
“We had a great chat with the team at Romeo Lane, spreading the message of responsible drinking and driving with their customers,” said Anup Nautiyal, coordinator of DCF.
“Their positive response gives us hope that if they adopt our suggestions, it could inspire other city bars to follow suit.”
The campaign isn’t just confined to bars. Near Pacific Mall, a public awareness meet brought together activists, community leaders, and residents determined to make Dehradun’s roads safer.
“This isn’t just about following rules,” said Ravi Bijarniya of the Public Relations Society of India. “It’s about valuing life – our own and others’.” His words resonated deeply, underscoring the urgency of tackling reckless driving and negligence.
Stories that Strike a Chord
The meet turned emotional as speakers shared personal stories of families torn apart by road accidents. “We’ve seen how a single moment of carelessness can shatter lives,” said Jaya Singh from Citizens of Green Doon.
Her call for responsibility, particularly among the youth, struck a chord with attendees.
Recognizing the influential role of young people, Prince Kapoor of MAD (Making A Difference) remarked, “They’re the torchbearers. If the youth embrace and champion safe driving practices, they can transform road safety into a movement.”
A Culture of Accountability
Community members like Florence Pandhi of Friends of Doon emphasized collective accountability.
“Road safety isn’t just the driver’s job; it’s everyone’s responsibility. We need systems that make every road user, from pedestrians to drivers, feel secure,” she said.
Retired Lt. Col. Sunny Bakshi added a stirring note, calling for community ownership: “The government can only do so much. It’s up to us, as citizens, to uphold safety standards and ensure accountability.”
Spreading the Message Far and Wide
The forum distributed posters and stickers with poignant messages such as “Drive Safe, Live Long”. These will soon adorn city hotspots, serving as daily reminders of the stakes on Dehradun’s streets. “Road safety isn’t just a campaign – it must become a lifestyle,” said Bharti Jain from DCF.
Looking Beyond Dehradun
While the campaign has its roots in Dehradun, the urgency of its mission transcends the city.
Himalayan states, with their winding roads and unpredictable weather, are equally vulnerable to road tragedies. The forum aims to spread its message across Uttarakhand and beyond, sparking similar initiatives in other hill states.
As the event concluded, DCF coordinator Anup Nautiyal urged attendees to carry the torch forward.
“This is just the beginning,” he said. “If each of us takes responsibility and spreads the word, we can create a ripple effect for safer streets across the state and beyond.”
With the participation of prominent citizens like Suresh Bhatt, Anil Satti, Ira Chauhan, and Sudhir Vadera, the campaign ended with a renewed commitment to safeguard lives.
The hope is clear: to turn this spirited campaign into a movement that leaves no road, no bar, and no heart untouched.
