Every year in India a large number of people are killed or get injured while riding two-wheelers – motorcycles. Out of all these a major chunk is related to the deaths resulting from injuries on the head. As per a report on road traffic injury prevention, it has been said that setting and enforcing mandatory helmet use is an effective intervention for reducing injuries and fatalities among two-wheeler riders.
From February 4-10, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways organized a road safety week. In order to ensure that strict safety rules are followed by two-wheeler riders on the streets, Kiran Bedi, the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, turned traffic cop on January 10.
In a video, that has now gone viral, Kiran Bedi was seen stopping two-wheelers on a busy road in the Union Territory and scolding bikers to wear helmets.
Watch the video here:
When there’s no culture of wearing a helmet in Puducherry and its CM keeps stalling enforcement & every 3rd day there’s a fatal accident, due to non wearing of a helmet,where does one begin?Giveup or take it in one’s own hands as well,alongside challenging enforcement agencies? pic.twitter.com/VQAUbYgUdU
— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) February 10, 2019
Kiran Bedi was seen advising people with kids and those riding with two pillions to wear a helmet. She also told people that not wearing a helmet could be fatal. She advised people to not go for triple riding.
The best suggestion to the traffic policemen which came from her was to “talk to everybody one by one”.
Here is how Twitterati reacted:
Wow!! Maam…where else can you find a Governor enforcing traffic rules…these ppl forget that you are an ex-cop! 🙂
You transformed Tihar, Maam…Pondi will benefit greatly with your presence. 👍👍🙏🙏
— Gomathi Karri Reddy 🇮🇳 (@GomathiKarri) February 10, 2019
Wearing helmet or not is my choice…. it shouldn’t be forced by someone… this rule is there so that corrupt police can loot good amount of money…
— Vivek Bora (@vivek_bora) February 10, 2019
We are a shameless lot. We will mock you in return, not follow rules and show you a thumb. In spite of big Swachh Bharat mission, did we ever forget spitting gutkha and paan on staircase sides.
— Raina M.K. (@rainamk1) February 11, 2019
Wow only a police officer at heart can do this.. salute to you madam.. jai hind 🙏🇮🇳🇮🇳
— नेत्रा डाऊ 🙏🇮🇳 (@onlyonenetra) February 11, 2019
Most #safest helmet on the planet. pic.twitter.com/29RNCsHWsg
— Shanthipriya (@Shanthipriya008) February 11, 2019
Na upar, na neeche…Helmet pehenna tho haram hai inke liye.,😜😂😂😂
— Pavan Reddy (@pavanmandala) February 11, 2019
Wonderful! You never fail to impress or enforce! Compliments & Kudos 👍👏👏
— Col Dilip Sharma (Veteran)🇮🇳 (@seedhadilse) February 11, 2019
Great Job. We are so into disobedience, we don’t respect law. And lucky for u. U didnt stop those 2 Muslims to wear helmet. If at all you have done that, three things would happen
1) @PTTVOnlineNews @news7tamil @ndtv @IndiaToday and all other chamchas would have started a debate— Vishwasundar Sharma (@GarvHinduAR) February 11, 2019
2) Tamil Nadu Dravidians like @mkstalin @Suba_Vee @SeemanOfficial @thiruja #Vaiko everybody would have started the rhetoric Aryan Governor, Parapana Governor, Bjp Governor is communal and what not. You would have been shown black flags for that.
— Vishwasundar Sharma (@GarvHinduAR) February 11, 2019
टोपी देख क्यों नहीं पूंछा where is your Halmet pic.twitter.com/UXU890d5jE
— Pandey Ji™️ (@PandeyJ49111610) February 11, 2019
Certainly, catching 3 people riding on a bike did not need a Kiran Bedi. It was the duty of the police, and they have failed. Police should use technology to reduce violations, bring transparency and accountability. May be transparency and accountability is itself a deterrent!!
— ಆನಂದ್.ವಿ (Anand.V) (@anand_ecp) February 11, 2019
Really appreciable efforts by powerfull lady. Atleast now Traffic police must be on street for educating the drivers and forcing them to wear helmet and car drivers seat belt.
— Raajan (@Raajan52865465) February 10, 2019
In a WhatsApp message, she mentioned how a fatal accident could impact a person in terms of medical, financial, and legal costs. She also said that an injury to the head can be caused to the rider for no fault of his.
Last year, she drove Puducherry in a private car “incognito” and found lapses in traffic management.
