In a decisive move to enhance road safety and reduce fatalities, the Mysuru city police have launched a special enforcement drive targeting drunk driving. The initiative, which commenced on Wednesday, is timed ahead of the New Year celebrations but is designed as a sustained campaign extending well beyond the festive period.
A Sustained Campaign for Safer Roads
City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar emphasized that the drive is a direct response to the high number of accidents caused by intoxicated drivers. "Many accidents are caused due to drunken driving cases. We want to ensure that our roads are safe for all. That is why, we have launched this drive. It will continue beyond New Year celebrations," Latkar stated. The campaign aims not only at routine traffic regulation but also focuses on enhancing commuter safety, reducing fatalities, promoting discipline, and ensuring strict compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Public Participation Encouraged
A key feature of this initiative is the active encouragement of public participation. The police have urged citizens to become eyes and ears on the road by reporting suspected drunk driving incidents and other traffic violations. The public can alert authorities through social media platforms, by sending a message to the dedicated WhatsApp number 9481100100, or by calling the police helpline 112.
The Medical Perils of Drunk Driving
Highlighting the grave dangers, Dr. AH Harsha, a neurosurgeon at Narayana Hospital in Mysuru, explained the direct impact of alcohol on a driver's capabilities. He stated that alcohol suppresses the brain's central nervous system, which governs alertness, judgment, and coordinated movement.
"When alcohol enters the bloodstream, it slows the brain's ability to process information, impairing decision-making, reaction time, hand-eye coordination, and visual perception," Dr. Harsha elaborated. He further warned that even small quantities of alcohol can diminish a driver's ability to judge distance, assess speed, and react swiftly to sudden hazards on the road.
These neurological impairments severely increase the risk of accidents, often leading to catastrophic outcomes like traumatic brain injuries or death. The doctor also noted that alcohol interferes with motor control and balance, raising the chances of swerving, over-correction, or a complete loss of vehicle control.
The Mysuru police's proactive drive represents a multi-pronged approach combining enforcement, public awareness, and medical education to tackle one of the leading causes of road accident fatalities head-on.
