Bengaluru: 93.5 RED FM one of the leading and most awarded private radio networks, has launched its campaign around the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi to alert helmetless riders about road safety in Bengaluru. RED FM’s initiative – ‘Second Chance NahiMilega’ is supported by the Bengaluru Traffic Police. As a part of the campaign, RED FM’s team will enlighten Bengalureans of the significance of wearing a helmet while riding a bike or any two-wheeler.
The objective to launch this initiative around Ganesh Chaturthi is to remind the two-wheeler riders that not everyone is as fortunate as Lord Ganesha to get a second head or a second chance at life. There has been a rapid increase in road accidents, especially in metro cities, as two-wheeler riders avoid wearing helmets. Through this initiative, RED FM aims to spread the message on the importance of wearing protective helmets while riding and the consequences of flouting traffic rules.
As a part of this campaign, a mascot dressed as Lord Ganesha visited various locations, starting from 6th September to 16th September along with Bengaluru traffic police. This initiative covered major traffic junctions like MG Road – Cauvery Emporium, Brigade Road – Residency road signal, Sony World junction– Koramangala, Sadashivnagar – Swimming pool junction, Silk Road signal, Anil Kumble circle, Vivekananda metro station junction, Basaveshwara Junction Rajbhavan signal, JD Maara -Bannerghatta road and Indiranagar – 100ft road – 12th main road junction. The traffic rule offenders were caught and made to do baski as a symbolic act – asking forgiveness to the Lord Ganesha. Riders without safety headgears will be given a free helmet to spread the message of road safety.
Commenting on the campaign, B Surendar, COO & Director, RED FM network said, “Red FM as a brand stands for purposeful entertainment and so bajaoing social causes come naturally to us. Bengaluru city is home to nearly 55 lakh two-wheelers and almost 60% of the accidents in the city are said to involve a two-wheeler one way or the other. Through our initiative ‘Second Chance NahiMilega’ we want to reiterate the importance of wearing a helmet while riding a two-wheeler. By launching this campaign around Ganesh Chaturthi, we plan to essentially spread the message that not everyone is as blessed as the Lord himself to get a second chance and so they better take enough precautions in life. Our Ganesha mascot will target the traffic rule defaulters in all the major traffic junctions in Bengaluru to create awareness. Thus the initiative will encourage Bengalureans to follow road safety measures and help save the lives of two-wheeler riders and those of others too. We would like to thank the Bengaluru Traffic Police for their cooperation in executing this Radio plus On-ground activity impactfully.”
Dr. BR Ravi Kanthe Gowda I.P.S Joint Commissioner (Traffic), added “This is a great campaign because everybody at home will be waiting for these riders to come back home safely. In Bengaluru the maximum deaths occur in the category of two-wheelers only, because most of the time, not only is it rash and negligent driving but because of riding without wearing a helmet. Wearing a helmet is going to reduce fatal injuries. The rules are here for your safety therefore, please use proper helmets, that are certified with ISI mark helmets, and full helmets as it will reduce fatalities. This campaign is definitely going to educate them and I hope it is going to result in reducing fatalities.”
RED FM’s road safety initiative ‘Second Chance NahiMilega’ will be widely covered by RJs on the radio channel and on the brand’s social media platforms. This also includes giveaways and contests to pool the attention of the masses. Even today, radio channels are considered a powerful tool for increasing public awareness. RED FM is proactively tapping various social issues, through creating engaging and innovative content around them.