Sir,

This refers to the news item ‘Death track: Late-night racing claims two lives’ published in Star of Mysore dated July 6. The tragic accident, in which both a speeding biker and an innocent food delivery executive lost their lives, is yet another grim reminder of the dangers of reckless racing on our roads.

Street racing has emerged as a dangerous trend, putting innocent lives in jeopardy.

It is deeply disturbing to see youngsters treating public roads as racing tracks, showing neither fear of the law nor concern for fellow citizens.

This incident has shattered families and shaken the entire community.  How many more lives must be lost before decisive action is taken against this recklessness?

I have been a resident of this locality for the past 26 years. Over the years, I have witnessed many changes — some positive and others deeply concerning. One of the most pressing issues today is the alarming rise in road accidents. Reckless driving, especially by two-wheelers and autorickshaws, has become rampant. Speeding through  narrow residential lanes endangers pedestrians and creates a constant atmosphere of fear among residents.

Another serious concern is noise pollution. Loud horns, modified silencers and relentless honking — at all hours — disturb the peace of our neighbourhood. For the elderly, patients recovering at home, and school-going children, this disruption is a daily challenge.

Our senior citizens, who have spent decades in this area, now find it difficult to cross roads or enjoy peaceful evening walks. Many prefer to stay indoors, apprehensive about accidents and overwhelmed by constant noise.

It is high time authorities implement strict measures to regulate traffic in residential areas. Installing speed-breakers at key stretches, banning modified silencers, enforcing ‘No Horn’ zones and setting up proper pedestrian crossings would go a long way in restoring safety and peace. Public roads are meant for safe, responsible travel, not for deadly stunts that end in tragedy.  We urge the authorities to crack down on this menace before it claims more innocent lives.

As someone who has lived here for over two decades and witnessed the evolution of this locality, I sincerely urge the civic authorities and the Traffic Police to take these concerns seriously and work towards making our area safe and                                            liveable once again.

— Preeth Appaiah, Bannimantap, 7.7.2025

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