In a bid to improve road safety and encourage safer driving habits, the city of Nashik in Maharashtra has launched a drive, and this new drive focuses more on two-wheelers in the city.
This new drive is named “no helmet, no petrol” and was part of the 75th Independence Day celebrations.
From the name itself, we can decode that the drive focuses on improving safety for two-wheelers. The ‘no helmet, no petrol’ drive was launched by the Hon’ble state cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal and was inaugurated at Sadbhavana police petrol pump on Gangapur Road in Nashik.
During the inauguration, the minister pointed out that in the last five years more than 825 people had already paid with their life in 782 accidents in the city, and the majority of the people were two-wheeler riders.
He also mentioned that, out of the 467 fatal two-wheeler accidents, 397 of them did not wear any sort of head protection gear at the time of the accident. According to Mr Bhujbal, he has directed all the petrol pumps to refuse service to those not wearing a helmet.
He further added that the directive has also mandated petrol pumps to install CCTV cameras for surveillance so that authorities could clamp on those breaking the law. From the surveillance footage recorded via CCTV cameras, authorities can identify and fine both parties if there is any infringement of laws.
Mr Pandey, Nashik police commissioner echoed the minister’s directive to further strengthen the drive to promote safe driving habits. He further added that the drive should be an exemplary model for the entire country.
However, the model has already been tried in the southern state of Kerala a few years back.
Unlike many initiatives by most of the politicians in India, the minister distributed 2035 helmets to police personnel across the city to lead the community by example.
Thoughts About The No Helmet, No Petrol Two-Wheeler Safety Campaign Launched In Maharastra
Since commuters riding in two-wheelers involve in the majority of fatal accidents in India, the latest drive by the Hon’ble state cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal is a much-welcomed addition to reduce fatalities in accidents. We believe, this initiative will not only help reduce accidents but will also lay the seeds in young minds to drive with safety in mind.