Over 2000 bikers from across the Jammu region today participated in the 20 km 'Safe Rides, Save Lives' motorcycle rally that was flagged off by Jammu and Kashmir deputy Chief minister Nirmal Singh.
The rally, which is a joint initiative of traffic police of Jammu and Biker Brotherhood Team in Jammu was flagged off from the Jammu University campus.
On this occasion, Singh emphasised the importance of road safety measures saying that several lives would be saved if bikers wear helmets.
"I am told that over 400 bikers who were not wearing helmets, lost their lives in Jammu district alone in the past five years.
"If the bikers start wearing helmets several precious lives could be saved", Singh said.
While complementing the police for organising such type of events, Singh said that awareness campaigns were very important for creating a sense of discipline and adherence to various safety standards while driving.
Singh said that the people should strictly follow the traffic rules as these are imperative while driving on the roads besides also creating a sense of safety among the pedestrians.
The deputy Chief minister said that such awareness programmes should be a regular feature and held in other district headquarters, towns and villages as well.
He said that the youth should also be involved in these programmes as they constitute the majority of the motorbikers, drivers and have an important role in disseminatingthe message about the road safety standards.
The rally culminated at Gulshan Ground Jammu where the Director General of Police K Rajendra Kumar distributed certificates and mementos among the participants including Team Jammu, Bikers Club.
He also gave a cash prize of Rs 10,000 and certificates to the organizers of scooter rally which was organized some time back at Srinagar.
Several senior officers of the Jammu and Kashmir police and officials from the civil administration were also present on the occasion.
