Selvan* is one among thousands of educated youth searching for jobs in Bengaluru. He needs to support his elderly parents and younger brother’s education. Frustrated with weeks of fruitless search, Selvan came to his hometown for a fun weekend. He played cricket and hung out with his childhood friends. “Shall I drop you to the Bengaluru bus stand?” offered a friend, “You are too drunk to drive back tonight.” Selvan ignored this advice and went “triples” on a friend’s bike. Unfortunately, they hit an autorickshaw and were flung onto the road.
Lying in the dark and unable to move, Selvan was filled with regret. “How will I explain this mess to my parents?” he thought. “They think I am in Bangalore. They don’t even know that I drink.” He felt even worse as he saw the Bengaluru bus zoom past.
His friends called the 108 ambulance and took him to the local hospital. His badly broken knee needed specialist care. He was referred to a bigger hospital. Selvan’s family stepped in and brought him to CMC Vellore. Despite two knee surgeries, he has lost some mobility and cannot fully bend his knee.
Every four minutes a person dies on our roads. CMC’s Casualty admits over 5,000 accident victims a year. Two thirds of these are preventable motorbike injuries. The consequences of a rash decision can haunt us for a lifetime. As we mark Road Safety Week resolve never to touch alcohol before driving. Remember to drive safe and teach children to follow road rules.
Thank you for your support,
Hugh Skeil
Development Office, CMC Vellore
P.S. Read more on road safety and support CMC’s Golden Hour Fund for accident victims.
Story contributed by the Department of Orthopaedics
*name changed
One person dies every four minutes on India’s roads.
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