Come with helmets and get petrol at no cost-novel drive in Tiruchendur

With the response to the initiative-wherein riders can’t fill up their vehicle tanks if no helmet is worn-being positive, petrol bunk operators in the area came forward to offer one litre of fuel at no cost to those riders wearing protective headgear, sources said.

The initiative comes in the wake of the Department of Police in Thoothukudi district recently launching the awareness campaign, ‘No helmet, no petrol’ to encourage motorcycle riders to wear helmets and thereby minimise the risk of an accident.

When contacted, Thoothukudi Superintendent of Police (SP) Murali Ramba said each of the 420 riders, who traveled on their two-wheelers wearing helmets and reached fuel stations to fill petrol, had been provided with a litre of petrol at no cost. With a total of 14 fuel stations falling under the limits of six police stations in Tiruchendur sub division, the SP said each of the fuel stations in the area offered 30 litres of petrol for free. This move could come as a motivating factor for the riders to wear helmets.

Over the past one week, as many as 10,000 awareness pamphlets on safe driving by using helmets had been distributed to the public. Besides, awareness was also raised through public address system announcement.

Apart from the Department of Police, other stakeholders including fuel station proprietors, members of legal wing and the road safety council also worked together to raise road safety awareness and achieve the objective.

After taking feedback over a month’s time into account, similar driving regulations would also be imposed in Kovilpatti, identified as one of the accident black spots in the district. A total of thirteen accident prone stretches had been identified in parts of the district and more attention is given to reduce the risk of accidents, the SP told DT Next. However, priority would be accorded to Kovilpatti, the East Coast Road and the Thoothukudi- Tirunelveli stretch, where most of the accidents by two-wheelers are reportedly due to human fault.

Further, Ramba said collisions involving two-wheelers were often reported while overtaking and crossing roads carelessly. Moreover, in bid to protect devotees who mostly undertake padayatra to Tiruchendur in the late evening hours, reflective sticks were being provided and reflective stickers would also be pasted on the bags which they carry, he said.