Kolkata Police organises campaign prohibiting use of mobile phones while walking on roads

Kolkata: The Kolkata Police has organised an awareness campaign to make people realise the ill effects of using mobile phones while walking on roads.

According to an officer of the Kolkata Traffic Police, it has been noticed that many accidents can be avoided if pedestrians in the city become a bit more careful and avoid using cell phones while walking on roads.

A police officer said earlier people only used to speak over phone while walking. Though their concentration used to get diverted, at least they used to look straight while walking. But now the situation has turned worse as people keep texting while walking.

Many were even found remaining glued to the screens of their cell phones while crossing a road. There were many instances when pedestrians were found walking on city roads using earphones to speak on cell phones or listen to songs.

"This is more dangerous as many times they cannot realise that a vehicle is approaching when he or she is crossing a road and it often leads to an accident," the police said.

So, the police have started creating awareness among pedestrians so that they do not use cell phones while walking on roads. The awareness campaign was held mainly at two important locations in the city including Hare Street.

Such initiatives have brought down the rate of accidents as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had launched the state-wide campaign Safe Drive Save Life.

The Headquarter Traffic Guard took the initiative to create awareness on this particular issue and it was done by engaging school goers as it is considered that people easily accept when a child requests him or her to follow something.