IN 38 Road safety is top priority

IN the bustling city of Coimbatore resides a man in his early 50s who never misses a day to traverse around the place and alert people about road safety.

- N DHAMOTHARAN

With a mic in one hand and a sign board in another, VS Sureshkumar goes around the streets with a board that reads "Road Safety is Life Safety". He makes short conversations with pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers to spread the message. With his van converted into a makeshift stage, the man's voice booms through the streets as he drives around.

Coimbatore is a city known for its tourist activities, educational institutes and flourishing industries. Besides this, the city also holds the highest position in terms of road accidents. Sureshkumar extends his helping hand to the city police and NGOs who are trying to raise awareness about road safety and monitor traffic infractions to decrease road accidents.

The 53-year-old, with much dedication, has been conducting road safety awareness campaigns every day for the past decade. He accomplishes this noble task by travelling around the city in an eco-friendly vehicle, sponsored by the Rotary Club in 2013. He is known under the banner Vizhi, meaning awake.