Mysuru: It is hard to get children interested in serious civic issues such as traffic awareness. The key is to introduce an element of amusement into the learning process, and arrest their attention. It was with this objective that the Children’s Traffic Park , opposite the police commissioner’s office was opened. However, years of apathy resulted in the park losing its sheen. But, keen on keeping the good work alive, city police decided to revive the park, and succeeded in their endeavor. On Monday, the fruit of their labour was unveiled to the citizens of Mysuru, when city police commissioner A Subramanyeshwar Rao re-inaugurated the park.Highlighting the park’s uniqueness, Rao said, “It is a one-of-its-kind park in India, which focuses on instilling traffic sense in schoolchildren.”Admitting that the park’s impact on society would not be immediate, Rao added, “Our aim is to educate children about traffic rules early in life, so that they abide by them when they become adults.”Rao said that it was hard to change the attitude of teenagers, while it was easier to teach young children. “We want a large number of educational institutions to bring students to the park. Once children learn about the traffic rules, they will educate their parents and relatives,” he added.Rao said that fatalities in accidents had remained more or less constant in Mysuru. “Last year, around 130 youngsters lost their life in Mysuru, and the average number of fatalities in accidents has hovered around the 100 to 130 mark in the city. We are committed to bringing down the death toll through various initiatives we have planned this year,” he said.- Shivendra Urs

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