The Nashik Police Commissioner, Mr. Deepak Pandey, launched a unique drive to spread awareness about road safety among two-wheeler commuters. Anyone caught without a helmet will have to undergo two hours of counseling sessions on traffic norms. And helmets will be mandatory for both the riders on a two-wheeler because, in his own words, “both lives are equally important”.
He further informed that “the vehicles of helmetless drivers will be seized and will be released only after they complete the counseling session and show the certificate of completion to the concerned traffic station”.
Currently, the counseling sessions are being conducted in two batches. The first batch is from 11 am to 1 pm and the second batch is from 3 pm to 5 pm.
The responsibility of holding these sessions has been assigned to a private firm called ‘Traffic First’. This firm has tied up with the Nashik police department to provide counseling sessions for free.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Mr. Sitaram Gaikwad, explained what went behind the initiative: “In the recent past, several helmetless riders lost their lives as cases of accidents were on the rise. So, we decided to bring in this drive. The aim of this drive is not to punish or penalize the riders, but to create awareness and educate riders about their own safety.”
He said that only drivers and pillion riders who do not wear helmets will be targeted. Their vehicles will be seized, and they will be taken to the counseling center to be educated on traffic norms. After the completion of the two-hour session, the riders will be given a certificate of attendance. This certificate is compulsory to get their vehicles back.
In Nashik city alone, there are four such units that will keep a check on helmetless riders and take suitable action against them. A step in the right direction, as this will bring down the cases of bike accidents and make the roads safer for both commuters and pedestrians alike.
