Traffic police gift red roses to drive home road safety message

Allahabad: When Anjali set out from her home on a two-wheeler on Sunday morning, she didn’t care to put on a helmet. It was not the first time that the school teacher had flouted a traffic norm,given how most policemen often turned a blind eye to the violation when it came to women.
So she was in for a rude shock when she was asked to pull over by a policeman in Civil Lines area for riding without a helmet.
However, instead of being written a chalan she was given a rose by a woman constable who advised her to always wear a helmet.
No it wasn’t a prank, but a novel initiative by the district police to rein in traffic rule violators who don’t wear helmets and fasten their seatbelts while driving, especially women commuters.
During the drive, women constables and volunteers of local NGOs will hand over a red rose or show a mirror to every commuter they catch violating a traffic norm.
Deputy SP (traffic) RP Dohre said, “We have roped in volunteers from NGOs, National Cadet Corps members and other youth for the initiative. The drive was launched in Civil Lines and adjoining areas on Saturday ay to teach errant drivers a lesson.”
“When they pointed out my mistake and how I was endangering my life, I realised my mistake. I have decided never to drive my two-wheeler without wearing a helmet,” said Anjali. The initiative won over many passersby who joined the policemen on duty in zeroing in on the erring commuters.
On the first day, the drive was implemented in in four congested intersections of Allahabad. “The drive is aimed to challenge the conception that while police often stop male commuters for not wearing a helmet or fastening their seat belts, they often let go women who violate the same traffic rules,” said a police official.
“I am a woman and have seen how traffic police personnel usually don’t stop us during a checking drive. As a result, we are least bothered about wearing a helmet while driving,” said a commuter in Civil Lines.