Latest revision as of 21:21, 13 June 2021

[edit] Traffic police

[edit] Dholpur’s ‘Ask for Helmet’ / 2019

Dipak Dash, Nov 4, 2019: The Times of India

Traffic police in the tiny city of Dholpur in Rajasthan have launched an innovative campaign to make people wear helmets and to change their behaviour. All those caught driving without a headgear get a helmet from police so that they can wear it and reach home safely. But they need to return it at the police station nearest to their home to ensure that there are enough helmets available with law enforcement agencies to give them to other unsafe drivers.

But before getting a helmet, the violator has to go through a gruelling exercise. He is asked to fill a form giving reasons why he did not wear a helmet while driving a two-wheeler and he also has to give an undertaking that he will always wear helmet for his safety. “A photograph of their identity proof is kept to ensure that the person returns the helmet after he reaches home. In some cases, people are giving back the helmets after 2-3 days. But there has been positive impact,” said Dr P C Pathak, a medical officer in Rajasthan police posted in Dholpur.

SP Mridul Kachawa, who is spearheading the ‘Ask for Helmet’ campaign in the city, told TOI that the idea behind offering a helmet was to motivate people to use them for their safety rather than simply slapping a fine.

He said this initiative may also help improve the image of police and will send a message that the men in uniform were there to take care of people.