BENGALURU: As a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility Program, Helmet Saves, Exide Life Insurance today held an awareness drive at key locations in the city. The activity, conducted in collaboration with Sri Chaitanya Techno School, Seshadripuram, saw students gather at the busy junctions of Chalukya Circle and Millers Road, among other locations, to convey the message on importance of helmet safety for children.
The awareness drive was inaugurated by Sarah Fathima, Dy. Commissioner of Traffic Police to show the solidarity of the Bengaluru Traffic Police in furthering the cause of reducing road fatalities amongst children.
The activities included students marching on the roads holding placards with strong messaging and handing over leaflets on helmet safety for children to two wheeler riders. A group of Chaitanya School students wearing helmets and Exide Life Insurance volunteers took over high traffic roads and junctions like Millers Road and Chalukya Circle, where they engaged with two wheeler riders especially those with their child riding pillion without a helmet.
Commenting on the initiative, Antony John, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Traffic Central said “The Bengaluru Traffic Police has consistently undertaken campaigns to increase awareness on road safety. We are pleased to see that Exide Life Insurance is committed towards educating the citizens on importance of helmets. Bengaluru Traffic Police supports Helmet Saves Children Week to increase awareness on road safety of our children by encouraging both parents and children to wear helmets while riding a two wheeler.”
Mohit Goel, Director – Marketing and Direct Channel, Exide Life Insurance said, “Last year we conducted a survey on helmet wearing habits and received alarming insights regarding child pillions riders – such as 3 of 4 children do not wear a helmet while riding pillion. As per recent UN Motorcycle Helmet Study, wearing an appropriate helmet improves the chances of survival by 42% and helps avoid 69% of injuries to riders. It is crucial that we address this issue by creating awareness among both parents and children. We are grateful to Bengaluru Traffic Police and Sri Chaitanya Techno School for supporting Helmet Saves Children Week and helping us spread the message.”
Dr. Soya Nambiar, Principal, Sri Chaitanya Techno School, said, “It is common today to see a child pillion rider clinging on to an adult during motorcycle rides without adequate protection. Such attitude of adults towards young pillion riders is quite dangerous. We are glad to join hands with Exide Life Insurance in raising awareness on the need of helmets for children. As a conscientious school we support Helmet Saves Children Week to ensure that the message of child safety reaches the correct audience.”
Helmet Saves, a robust CSR campaign was launched by Exide Life Insurance in 2017 to create awareness on the importance of wearing a helmet while riding a two-wheeler. As a part of the campaign last year, a survey was conducted on the helmet wearing habits among riders. The trends revealed were startling – nearly 50% of parents would allow their children to ride a motorcycle helmetless, and 75% see such child pillions riding unprotected at least once a day.
The alarming trend of children not wearing helmets despite being one of the most vulnerable sections of the society, spurred the company into expanding its focus this year to Child safety.
The company launched ‘Helmet Saves Children’ Week with a catchy rap song ‘Voice of Children’ on 14th November 2018 on the occasion of Children’s Day, which not only entertains but also brings forth the important message in a seamless fashion.
