[xBhp Universal Thread]: Road Safety - A Shared Responsibility

[inflammable]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Alok Das and have been with xbhp for over 7-8 years. I work in Pune with Eaton Corporation as an Aerospace Engineer and Patent Analyst.

I had been longing to pendown my ideas (2-3 months). Finally I am here. Having seen some real intense discussions on Various threads on Helmet Awareness, Riding Safety and after being a part of Helmet Awareness Ride in Pune, I had observed LOADS of things and started thinking on how to actually target the problem on Helmet/Road Safety.

Still we see so many accidents happening around. So many people loosing lives, getting disabled, injured. Bike Accidents.. Car Accidents. Infact our own friends, acquaintances.

How should we actually look at the bigger picture of problem?
Where are we going wrong when we organized the Helmet Safety Campaigns or Road Safety campaigns?
Where should we focus to have a greater impact?

Let me share my thoughts now.

Everytime we talk about helmet/Road safety we set out on streets and start convincing STRANGERS on roads to wear helmet, wear riding gear, ride/drive slowly, Wear seat belts, follow traffic rules, opt for Safety features, pillion should also wear helmet etc. etc. Everytime we organize for the greater benefit of the ecosystem we live in.. We do get mileage, we get publicity, people appreciate our efforts. But then the problem persists.

India is now No. 1 in world for road casualties. There are whole list of Stats with me.. which my Video will talk about. (More on that later)

The reason I do not see greater impact is - We always end up targeting Strangers. Think about it.. How many times would you accept advice from someone on Road.. out of the blue? Not many times. Its not that we are doing anything wrong. We are doing it right.. But think about it..

A stranger gives you some advice.. there will be an impact. But if the same advice comes from someone you know.. or your friend.. the impact will be many folds. You will listen to him more patiently and attentively.

When we target strangers.. we jump in from nowhere.. stop him and start explaining him the implications of not wearing a helmet. Which most of people are not really interested in listening. Because they are going somewhere.. somework.. and we start discussing on a topics.. which he isnt expecting. It surprizes them. We start giving gyan.. which he isn't interested in.

I was thinking on these lines.. and came out with simpler solution. Charity begins at home. Right. We have to start from the place we work, study, live.

How I approached the problem - I prepared a presentation on Road Safety and proposed idea of Running a Road Safety campaign in my Department, to the Head of Corporate Communications, got the buyin of Vice-President Technology, who also agreed on the importance of Road Safety. I believe every organization always emphasizes on safety First. And I picked up that note. I explained to Head - Corp Comm. & V.P technology the plan. Got the approval and 10 min slot to present in Monthly All Hands meeting with audience of over 800 people.

I must admit that while presenting the importance of Riding gear, there were people who were laughing. It always happens right. But today after more than 2 months.. ther have been couple of serious accidents in my 800 people department. And now people turn back to me and thank for taking efforts to run such campaign. Lot of managers have appreciated my efforts.

Infact today one of my colleage turned up to me and showed me scars.. and said "Alok I didn't listen to you.. and see I met with an accident and I have learnt a lesson".

The impact has been so huge now that recently I was asked to prepare a Solid content on Road Safety to be sent to all 2000 people in my organization across India under Eaton India Safety First Campaign. I was asked to prepare a video which is now being streamed on ALL LCDS across the Eaton Corporation offices and plants in India.

Over here I would like to Thank Sunny bro too. For Road safety Video i wanted a message from Ranvijay and Sunny on Riding safety... Since Ranvijay is famous with bikers. I met Ranvijay when he was in Pune. I introduced myself as Sunny's friend. I think Sunny already had spoken about this message. I recorded Ranvijay's message and added that part to main Road Safety video. Bang on. People were stunned. I would have also loved to incorporate Sunny's message too.

We at xbhp are 30000+ strong community. We all work or study at different places. We have our areas where people know us or places where we can influenece people. Lets influence them first. Lets start with them. If each one us takes up this initiative and organize something like what I did, we can create an impact on LOADS of people.. and good part wiill be.. they will not be strangers. They will listen to you.

If each one of us is able to make an impact on 50 people each.. the message will reach 15 Lakh people.

If you are in college, go ahead.. talk to you college principal, HOD whatever. Chalk out a detailed plan. Get a slot in tech or Cultural fest.. or run a ROad Show in college. Tell everyone the importance of Road Safety.

If you are working.. talk to your boss, or the CSR committee head. Explain them the idea. Compile a ppt. Get a slot in meeting where you can have maximum audience. Create an impact. I bet if anyone from audience ever meets with an accident he will always recall what you said in presentation.

If you guys need, you can PM me to know more on the ppt contents.

Time for the road safety Video I prepared. Let the Video do the talking on Road safety now.

YouTube - RSC

[Aryan]

Universal Topic Approved.

[inflammable]

Thanks Aryan for Approval.

[satyenpoojary]

Touche bro... did that with my last employer, now doing it with the HSW team at my present place.
You mind sending me the PPT?

[rachitkohli]

Excellent way of spreading the 'Safety' across people. Will try my part too.. Thanks.!

[inflammable]

Posting posters which I made for Road Safety Campaign.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.co.in/lh/pho...eat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.co.in/lh/pho...eat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.co.in/lh/pho...eat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.co.in/lh/pho...eat=directlink

[tibby]

Very nice initiative there. The video is very nicely made too.

I will do my part to spread the awareness.

[darkknight]

Alok : A really nice initiative there.

we too had a similar drive initiated by our company L&T.But it was mainly for industrial safety with bits of road awareness as well.

Not too many people here seem to be keen on this idea

[RoadZilla]

As I already said, Nice work Alok (EATON)!!!

[niks_devil666]

Nice video Alok ! will tweet it and post it on my wall ....