Free helmets drill safety message into riders' heads

On the occasion of World Head Injury Awareness Day on Saturday, Fortis Hospitals took an initiative of distributing free helmets to those riding without helmet in violation of traffic rules.

The three-day drive, in association with Bengaluru traffic police, started on March 17 and will end on Monday, March 20. It was conducted at various signals like Jayanagar 4th Block, Cunningham Road, Nayandahalli, JP Nagar, Gopalan Mall, Inner Ring Road, Outer Ring Road and Rajajinagar.

Traffic police at signals gave away helmets with pink slips to people seen without helmet. According to the World Health Organisation, 1.25 million people lose their lives in road accidents every year. WHO also states that in Karnataka, there are around 42 million registered vehicles, of which 71% are motorised two-wheelers.

Dr Manish Mattoo, zonal director, Fortis Hospitals, Bengaluru, said, “Through this initiative, we want to alert people on road safety and that a lot of cases of head injury due to accidents can be avoided if care is taken. We are here to help commuters by gifting them helmets and educating them about head injuries and their severity.”