Commissioner of Police SD Sharanappa on Tuesday flagged off a cycle rally to raise awareness about road safety in the District Armed Reserves police area of Kalaburagi. | Photo credit: ARUN KULKARNI
Police Commissioner SD Sharanappa on Tuesday called for a decisive shift from mere awareness to strict enforcement and personal responsibility, saying 2026 should be a year of action and movement for road safety, with policemen themselves leading by example.
He was speaking after flagging off a road safety awareness cycle rally organized by the police here in collaboration with the United Hospital at the District Armed Reserves.
“As we have an obligation to enforce the laws, we are even more obliged to respect and obey them. We witness the loss of precious lives every day in road accidents and the suffering of families dependent on them. If we do not follow the rules of the road, we will face the same fate,” said Mr. Sharanappa, expressing concern over the increasing number of fatal road accidents and the lack of behavioral change despite repeated awareness campaigns.
Emphasizing the need to use helmets while driving, Mr. Sharanappa noted that wearing a helmet can help reduce death rates by 70% to 80%.
“If you wear a helmet, others will follow you. They will then inspire many more. This must grow into a movement during 2026. Road safety should not be limited to a particular week or campaign, but must become a daily commitment,” he said.
Mr. Sharanappa also commended United Hospital for its continued support for road safety initiatives. He noted that the hospital actively cooperates with the police in accident prevention campaigns by distributing helmets, first aid kits and other basic safety equipment to both the public and police personnel.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Praveen H. Nayak, Deputy Commissioner of Police Sharanabasappa Subedar and senior officers from Traffic Division I and II were present.
Medical experts from United Hospital also addressed the rally.
Neurosurgeon and spine surgeon Vinaysagar Sharma explained how helmets and seat belts significantly reduce head and spine injuries, while trauma and laparoscopic surgeon Mohammed Abdul Baseer shared critical tips for handling accident victims before taking them to hospitals.
The cycle rally passed through Jagat Circle and Timmapur Circle before returning to the police base and sensitizing the public on the call for stricter road safety discipline.
Published – 27 Jan 2026 19:19 IST
