Police plan ad blitz to sell helmet rule

Police plan ad blitz to sell helmet rule
Deccan Herald

A motorcade to make a statement. Hoardings that will preach loud and clear. Banners at several junctions. Pamphlets for every road user. What do these have in common? Some good advice: Use a helmet.

The Bangalore Traffic Police is launching an extensive campaign to increase awareness about helmets this week. With the helmet rule likely to become mandatory beginning August, the traffic police is shifting to top gear to make the rule successful. “We are assisting the government in making the implementation of the helmet rule possible,” said Achuta Rao, Bangalore Police Commissioner.

“Helmets are important because it can save lives. People know this, but choose to ignore it, because they find helmets uncomfortable to wear and inconvenient to carry. We have to stress on the benefits of the helmets so that people adopt the rule whole-heartedly,” explains M A Saleem, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-East).

Over 300 bikes belonging to the traffic police and traffic wardens will cruise down Bangalore’s streets, spreading awareness about helmets, in mid-July. 42 hoardings across the city have been earmarked to highlight the same with the help of advertisements.

Sponsors

According to Mr Saleem private organisations have come forward to sponsor banners and distribute pamphlets at all important junctions.

“We are also looking at sending text messages to mobile users. We may also rope in colleges and corporates so that we can spread the message to a large number of people,” Mr Saleem explains.