Fascists are cowards; those who fight against them are brave: Chief Minister

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan of Kerala has called for a new driving culture in the state due to the high number of accidents over the years. At the inauguration of the Jeeva-Suyathra Mission, Satheesan directed the Motor Vehicles department and police to enforce traffic and road safety rules strictly, irrespective of the status of rule-breakers.

This approach is expected to lower the number of accidents in the coming months. Satheesan highlighted the plight of road accident victims and their families, noting that tens of thousands remain disabled for life. He contrasted the driving culture in Kerala with that of West Asia, where heavy penalties and imprisonment deter rule breakers.

The Mission, spearheaded by the Kerala State Road Safety Mission, aims to ensure pedestrian safety and raise awareness, especially at the school level. Bus schedules must be revised to address congestion, and motorists are urged to avoid overspeeding and rash driving. Actor Mammootty, the mission's brand ambassador, emphasized the importance of early departures and safe driving practices.

Transport Minister C.P. John expressed concern over the high annual road accident deaths, urging a significant reduction in the number. Keralam currently has nearly 4,000 road accident deaths annually, with betterment possible similar to that seen in European countries. Sharmila Mary Joseph, Principal Secretary (Transport), noted that Keralam has over four times the number of vehicles compared to the national average, with most fatalities attributed to reckless driving.

The mission's motto is 'Enlighten and Enforce,' aiming to alleviate the suffering of accident victims and their families.