College campaign cracks down on drunken driving

Mumbai police’s initiative against drinking and driving has just got support from unexpected quarters.

Five TYBMM students from St Andrew's College, Bandra Delia D’mello, Renelle D’souza, Jolyn D’sylva, Tracy Gonsalves and Larissa Pinto have taken it upon themselves to take the issue to the youth and create buzz about the perils of drunken driving. The group has started a campaign, Bottle or Wheel, in college and aims to take it to the public as well. The campaign’s theme, Friends, don’t let friends drink and drive, encourages youngsters to stop their friends from drinking and driving.

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“We are just telling people that they have two options when they go out, either drink or drive,” says Renelle D’souza, one of the campaign’s co-founders. To help spread their message the group has even created a mascot, Mr Wheetle, who is a damaged bottle with a wheel choking the neck. They have also made badges that support the cause, which they are now distributing, and launched a Facebook page that has already received 700 likes. Starting September 10, as part of their offline activities, the Bottle or Wheel team will organise activities in their college for a week. People can participate in games or enter the Doodle for a Cause competition. The doodling event will be open to the public, the best doodle winning a gift hamper. Entries can be submitted on Facebook. There will also be a signature campaign where students put their handprints on a huge board. On September 18, the group heads to St Peters Church, Bandra, and create awareness among the public at large. D’souza says, “We hope to sustain it for a while and make an impact.”