Kurnool witnesses helmet awareness drive

 Kurnool: Helmeted cops, including district superintendent of police Siddharth Kaushal, rode two-wheelers through Kurnool town for spreading awareness about the importance of wearing helmets to prevent deaths and shattering of families.

The drive by cops started from the district police office and reached the collectorate, riding through police control room, Kids World and Raj Vihar.

The Kurnool SP pointed out that 70 percent of road accidents involve two wheelers. Many of these riders lose their lives due to head injuries. Most of them could have lived had they worn helmets, he underlined.

Siddharth Kaushal said in Kurnool district alone, 361 people had been killed and more than 700 injured in road accidents in 2021; 357 killed and 706 injured in 2022, and so far in 2023, 45 people have been killed and 109 injured.

The SP said condition of families can turn traumatic overnight, as they end up going through financial and mental turmoil. This could be avoided just by always wearing a helmet while riding, even for short distances.

Siddharth Kaushal said they have launched a programme called “Traffic Mitra”. Any member of the public can send a photo of traffic violation, particularly helmetless riders, to the Kurnool Traffic Mitra portal. This will help in increasing awareness about the importance of wearing helmets.

The SP underlined that everyone should follow traffic rules, wear helmets while riding a bike, seat belts while driving cars and not driving vehicles while talking on mobile phones.

Kurnool traffic DSP Nagabhushanam, Town DSP K.V. Mahesh, Town circle inspectors Sankaraiah, Srinivasulu, Thimmareddy and Srinivasulu, sub-inspectors and police personnel participated in the event.