Social Media Week (SMW) has announced their partnership with the Bengaluru City Traffic Police (BCTP) to drive an awareness campaign about traffic rules and road safety in the city from the 16th to the 27th of February.
In the lead up to the five-day event running from February 23rd till the 27th, SMW has announced their partnership with BCTP, one of the more socially active police forces in the country, in an attempt to get Bengalureans to become more aware of the traffic laws within the city and abide by them. SMW’s theme this time around is Upwardly Mobile: The Rise of The Connected Class and multiple discussions and events will be hosted at various venues in the city including The Leela Palace, News Café, and Big Pitcher, among others.
B. Dayananda, I.P.S, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Bengaluru City said “Bengaluru City Traffic police has always been a forerunner in adopting technology to effectively monitor our roads and ensure a safer ride for commuters in the city. We’ve also done a lot to actively engage with the citizenry be it through our Facebook page, our website, or through our app. Through the initiative with SMW, net-savvy Bengalureans can now pledge to ensure a safe and smooth commute through the city; both for themselves and every other commuter as well.”
An online campaign titled #ImTheChange will encourage citizens to click pictures, shoot videos and share their pledges towards road safety on SMW page. This will be supported by backdrops placed at key locations such M.G. Road, Madiwala, Brigade Road, and Whitefield as well as other areas urging citizens to pledge adherence to road safety.
Rohit Varma, Founder R SQUARE Consulting & Director Social Media Week Bangalore, said “The BCTP have always been ahead of the curve when it comes to using technology – be it enabling their force with BlackBerry devices, engaging with citizens through Facebook and their app, or through surveillance cameras to make sure people maintain discipline while commuting. This engagement gives citizens a chance to show their solidarity with the BCTP by pledging to drive safe! ”
At SMW, all the pictures and videos shared by pledgees will be displayed on a digital wall. SMW speakers and participants will also be invited to join the campaign by signing the pledge to become a responsible citizen for safer roads in Bangalore. Additionally, stickers with traffic safety messages will be distributed to attendees who have taken a pledge.
Through their constant efforts at ensuring a safer commute for every Bengalurean, the BCTP has continually reduced the number of accidents in Bengaluru from a peak in 2007 of 8426 accidents to the lowest (since 2005) of 5004 accidents in 2014. This is with almost all roads in the city operating above their intended vehicular volume, accommodating a total of 53,92,847 vehicles.
