Safety concerns while out on the road seems to always the last thing in the minds of the people driving. The Tamil Nadu govt. had recently announced compulsory helmets for all two-wheelers and seat-belts for 4-wheelers.
Not even a day was this implemented. I counted the number of two-wheeler drivers without helmets- 50 within 2 km radius!!
Reason 1: Awareness is to be made about what could happen if safety measures are not taken.
Reason 2: Helmets are expensive for a common man to buy, the only way out is to use public transport/ continue riding without helmet.
I have noticed most of the two-wheelers in the city which should ideally have only two people, has 4-5 people on them where most of tem are kids/ babies. I’ve also witnessed two-wheeler accidents where the babies/ kids are the most hurt.
It is not too difficult to make the driver understand why such rule needs to be enforced. There are videos online that show crash test carried out, and what harm it could do to the vehicle and the people in it.
We could put up live video stations at signals/ shopping malls/ theaters/ schools/ colleges etc. Make the helmet prices a little more standardized and economical without compromising on its safety features.
We have so many aspirations to be like the west in terms of lifestyle/ food/ clothing etc. But the most basic thing such as safety of human lived is not copied!!
Having lived in the west for 5 years, it is amazing how the traffic police fine you if you do not wear a seat belt, run a traffic light, always put babies in a car seat in the back of the car. I am sure we can follow some of these rules if not all.
In fact, by doing so, we make traffic moving a lot more easier by having simple regulations that we can abide buy and which ensures a safe life on the road.
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