PANJIM: The State Police has taken a dig at those campaigning against the Traffic Sentinel Scheme, especially those who have been alleging that two-wheelers are on the top of the target list for non-wearing of helmets.
Director General of Police Muktesh Chander has asked these campaigners to form a society objecting to the wearing of helmets, which would the first such.
“There is a society called Flat Earth Society. They even have their website that claims the Earth is flat and everyone is lying that it is oval. Those who don’t believe in using helmets should start ‘helmet is useless society’ and open the first chapter in Goa,” he said during a presentation on National Road Safety Week 2019 held in Panjim on Tuesday.
As he lashed out at the ruckus over the mandatory traffic rule, he appealed – rather sarcastically – to those who don’t wear helmets to donate their organs to those in need and insure their lives to benefit their family after death. “I have no problem if you behave like this. What can I say? You can’t see the naked truth,” he said, showing photographs of horrific deaths of helmetless riders and pillion riders, during an elaborate presentation attended by police officers, road safety campaigners, students, media and people.
“You should have faith in road safety principles. Don’t do it for the police sake. Don’t find excuses not to follow the rule. If you don’t follow traffic rules, its okay, but you don’t have the right to take the lives of others. If you kill someone in an accident you get bail immediately. Even before the final rites are performed on the deceased, the accused is out
on bail. Actually it is murder. Law of probability applies to death also. For those who still don’t want to believe in road safety, donate the organs and fill life insurance. Donate your organs so that someone will be benefitted and fill the life insurance so that the family is benefitted,” he said.
As per statistics, 70 per cent road accident deaths are of are riders and majority of 31.29 per cent fatal self accidents, is of two-wheeler riders. Last year’s data further shows that of 145 riders who died in road accidents, 107 were not wearing helmets. “Chances of death due to road accidents increase three times, if helmet is not worn,” the DGP observed.
With the traffic police cell contemplating to enforce helmets for pillion riders, officers are convincing people on its benefits. Statistics show that all 37 pillion riders who died in road accidents last year were not wearing helmets.
