By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 30: With New Year’s Eve celebrations just around the corner, the Shillong Traffic Police has launched a unique awareness campaign aimed at combating drunk driving and other traffic violations.
In a creative twist, the traffic department unveiled a mock “New Year’s Eve Special Menu,” listing various traffic violations as courses on a menu. Offenses such as riding without a helmet, driving without a seatbelt, using mobile phones while driving, and wrong parking have been classified under “Starters.” Serious offenses like drunk driving, reckless driving, overspeeding, and underage driving fall under the “Main Course,” while modified exhaust pipes, unnecessary honking, and stunts on public roads are humorously categorised as “Desserts.”
An “Add-On” section also warns against any other violations under the Motor Vehicles Act,
reinforcing the department’s zero-tolerance approach to unsafe driving.
The menu-style campaign is further complemented by a sobering quote from F Scott Fitzgerald: “First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you.”
The Shillong Traffic Police has also has also assured that personnel will be deployed “round the clock” to ensure safety on the roads during New Year’s Eve celebrations. Checkpoints will be set up at key locations in the city to monitor violations, especially drunk driving, which remains one of the leading causes of accidents during the festive season.