We need to be careful drivers, aware pedestrians

File pic

This paper recently highlighted a film on traffic safety awareness. The 56-second spot showed Raavan with his 10 heads seated on a mo'bike. He tells a helmetless scooter rider, while both are stalled at a traffic signal, that he has 10 heads but the rider has only one. He needs to protect that head with a helmet. The film was in typical Mumbai police cheeky tenor and apt, since it went live on Dussehra day and the Raavan motif resonated all around.

Top cops have pressed the pedal on wearing helmets and the film, which was a collaborative between a digital first company and traffic cops, was an indicator that the police are also exploring humour as a tool to disseminate messages.

Riders need not look for sound advice couched in different mediums to reach for the helmet. Common sense, responsibility and thought for personal safety and feelings for your loved ones should be your guiding light. You do not need to be Einstein to understand that a good, recommended helmet has been enforced only for your benefit. Follow the rule, and in fact, spread the message so that you influence other bikers too. Traffic rules like wearing seatbelts, driving at recommended speeds should be part of one's DNA. The horrific Bandra Worli Sea Link accident brings the ‘do not speed' factor home hard. Helmets are only one facet of overall road discipline. Though the Raavan spot was a clever play on the head, extend that safe and sound logic to all aspects.

Pedestrians should be included here. While one does feel for people who literally have to squeeze out space to walk, careless crossing and haring across roads, pushing and shoving people, especially seniors, to get ahead is gross. It needs more than 10 heads, millions actually, to think coolly, and with great empathy so that we are careful commuters, aware pedestrians and no-danger rangers on the roads.