Saving lives of bikers by reflecting their mistakes

NEW DELHI: Traffic cop Sandeep Shahi used to gift helmets to those riding motorbikes on some of the world’s most dangerous streets with their head unprotected — but on reflection, he found a better approach.

By flashing a mirror at violators, Shahi has been able to shame riders into reflecting on the thin line between life and death on notorious roads here.

Although the law mandates proper headgear for bikers in the capital, it is common to see youngsters zip past either without a helmet or with one dangling from their arms, undaunted by the threat of a 1,000-rupee (RM57) fine.

Women riding pillion also often give the helmet a miss — sometimes just for fear of ruining their hairstyle.

“For the last four years I had been trying to persuade riders to wear helmets but to no avail.

“Then one day, when I was riding pillion with my friend on a bike, I saw myself in the mirror without a helmet and I felt ashamed, “said Shahi.

“Then it struck me that if I make others see themselves in the mirror, they might feel ashamed and start wearing a helmet. A mirror never lies.”

Shahi says his trick has worked so far. Riders have apologised and promised never to go on the roads again without a helmet.

“I have also prepared slides about road safety, which I show to commuters. I am very happy that this simple mirror has proved so effective in curbing violations.”

A United Nations study in 2016 estimated helmets gave bikers a 42 per cent better chance of surviving a serious crash.

On the streets here, where rash and drunk driving is commonplace, as is the sight of a family of four squeezed onto a bike, more than 1,600 people were killed in road accidents last year, according to traffic police data.