Srikakulam launches Abhayam drive, says helmet use is every rider’s duty
Wearing a helmet is a responsibility of every rider and not a burden, District Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar said while launching “Abhayam”, a road safety awareness campaign aimed at increasing helmet usage across the district, in Srikakulam on Saturday.
The campaign began with a bike rally led by Mr. Pundkar, District Superintendent of Police K.V. Maheshwara Reddy, and Joint Collector Farmaan Ahmed Khan, who rode two-wheelers wearing helmets to encourage public participation. The rally passed through Ramalakshmana Junction, Suryamahal Junction, and concluded at Arasavelli Junction.
Officials later inaugurated the Abhayam Helmet Bank, released campaign posters, and launched the Abhayam App as part of the initiative.
Addressing participants, the Collector said helmets serve as a protective shield during accidents and can save lives. He noted that a large number of road accident fatalities every year involve two-wheeler riders and urged citizens to make helmet use a daily habit.
He said the campaign would be extended to villages, where places achieving full compliance in helmet usage would be identified as “Abhaya Villages” and considered for special support. He also appealed to motorists to carry valid driving licences, avoid drunken driving, prevent minors from riding vehicles, and refrain from overspeeding or using mobile phones while driving.
Mr. Maheshwara Reddy said 62% of those killed in road accidents were two-wheeler riders who were not wearing helmets. Though nearly two lakh vehicles are registered in the district, only around 5% of riders were found to be regularly using helmets, he said.
To improve compliance, the police launched the Helmet Bank scheme under which riders found without helmets would be provided temporary helmets after recording their details. The helmets would have to be returned after they purchased their own, he said.
The first phase of the scheme will be implemented in Millu Junction, Day & Night area, and Balaga area in the Srikakulam subdivision. The police are also considering measures to deny fuel to riders not wearing helmets at petrol stations in the future, the SP said.
An awareness pledge was administered during the programme, and helmet donors were felicitated by the officials.
District Transport Commissioner A. Vijaya Sarathi, DSPs Vivekananda and Lakshmana Rao, Transport Officer Gangadhar, Dr. Sindhoora, police personnel, students, youth, and residents participated in the programme.