Coimbatore : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edapadi K Palanisamy will launch here on October 27 ‘Uyir’ (Life), an initiative by a cross-section of people of this city to change the behavioural pattern while driving to prevent accidents, both fatal and causing disability.

Considering the increasing road accident casualties, people from all spheres of life – industrialists, doctors and professionals -initiated a forum to envision the awareness among the public on road safety and accident-free drive, Uyir trustee board chairman Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu told mediapersons here today.

Self-initiative and responsibility of drivers were root causes to prevent such accidents and Uyir been formed to create a self-driven effort among the public to strictly follow safety guidelines on road, vehicles and self, he added.

Tamil Nadu holds a leading slot in road accidents with more than 15,000 people dying every year, Uyir Foundation managing trustee, Dr S Rajasekaran said, adding that Coimbatore held the second place in the State.

Around 70 per cent of accidents occurred due to improper use of helmets, drunken driving and failure to fasten seat belts.

Appreciating the initiative, Palanisamy had expressed his consent with a wish to provide extended support for the venture and agreed to launch the Uyir foundation on October 27, Rajasekaran said.

An MoU on ‘Protect and Save Life’ will be signed and exchanged with Uyir team and Government officials – DIstrict Collector TN Hariharan, Corporation Special Commissioner Dr Vijayakarthikeyan and City Police Commissioner, Sumith Sharan, he said.Depending on the success, the forum will be replicated in nearby cities, he added.