Here’s a shocking revelation! Of the 256 people killed in road mishaps in the city from April 1, 2012 to March 31 2013, 129 were two-wheeler riders. To the uninitiated, only two of these people were wearing helmets.
The information was sought through a Right to Information (RTI) query filed by Harshad Abhyankar, member of Janwani, a city-based NGO. “After collating the information, we will publish the transportation status report which will help the officials get a detailed synopsis. They can thus take the required safety measures to reduce the number of road mishaps,” said Abhyankar.
The Pune traffic police department officials claim that though they are doing their best to spread awareness, riders continue to ply without helmets.
According to cops, they have distributed helmets in various places and also held awareness camps in schools and other places. But the riders are indifferent.
Assistant police commissioner of traffic Kashinath Umbarje said, “It becomes difficult for us to implement the compulsory helmet rule as the state government has not made wearing helmets mandatory. But now we are asking commuters to wear helmets for their own safety. If people start using helmets, then these alarming figures will come down drastically.”
What the docs say
Helmets work as shock absorbers as it reduces the impact of the injury on the head. Head injury is the major cause of death in road accidents and using helmets can be extremely helpful — Dr Shri Krishna Joshi, Lokmanya Hospital.
There should be no excuse for not wearing a helmet. Head is one of the most sensitive areas of the human body and one should not ride a two-wheeler without wearing a helmet — Dr Kapil Zirpe, Head of the neuro trauma intensive care unit.
Deadly areas
Hinjewadi police jurisdiction
1. Dange Chowk (Near Runawala Heritage Society, Sandip Brass Band, Bus stop no. 16)
2. Wakad-Bangalore Road (Indira College, Hotel Holiday INN, Hotel Chaska)
3. IT Park (Hinjewadi IT park Phase 1 near Wipro, Tech Mahindra Circle)
4. Hinjewadi Gaon (Hulwale Basti)
5. Kaverinagar
Chatuhshrungi police
1. Ganesh Khird Road (Pune University Junction, Goldmart Jewellery, Kasturba Colony, E-Square)
2. Aundh Road (Near Amola Foundry, DP Road, Malya Bridge)
3. Senapati Bapat Road (Deep Bangla Junction)
4. Baner Road (Balewadi Jakat Naka, Green Park Hotel)
Sangvi police
1. Pimple Saudagar (Sai Architect, Kalewadi Petrol Pump, Kate Petrol Pump)
2. Rajiv Gandhi Flyover
3. Kalewadi (Shrinagar, Dhangarbaba Temple)
4. Tapkirnagar
5. Chaitraban Society
Bhosari police
Pune-Mumbai Road (Omkar Decoraters, Nashik Phata,)
Nashik Road (Landge Washing Center, Mahindra Showroom, Roshal Garden)
Alandi Road (Gavhane Petrol Pump, Rupali Hotel, Jai Maharashtra Chowk)
Marshall Company
Hotel Sonali
Yerawada police
Ahmednagar Road ( Shastrinagar,Pulse mall)
Airport Road (Bajaj Alliance, Don Bosco School)
Bund Garden new flyover
Hotel Sargam
Landmark Garden Kalyaninagar
Lame excuses
Infection to scalp
Suffocation
Difficulty to intercept roads
Heavy accessory
Neck pain
Difficulty in carrying it
I don’t like wearing a helmet as it is heavy. Whenever I wear it, I have a neck pain. As I ride at a low speed, I do not think that I need to wear one
—Pashupatinath Shinde (28)
Helmets are add-on burden. Besides, it is difficult to carry them when one visits a shopping mall or a multiplex
—Shivanjali Bhosale (35)
I feel suffocated every time I wear a helmet. I find it difficult to look around the road and hear the horn every time I wear a helmet
—Nikhil Singh (40)
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