You could not have missed them. They were all around the major road junctions in Chennai spreading a word about creating an “Accident Free Nation”. A wonderful initiative by Thozhan that was well publicized.

I met them at Vijaya Nagar junction – the volunteers without any protective gear (no reflectors, helmets) threading through traffic holding placards and reminding people to wear helmets and seatbelts. It made me panic. The kind of panic I feel when I am on the road and kids run amok without scant concern.

I pulled a volunteer (who actually skipped our car as we were wearing our seatbelts) and asked about “her safety”. She shrugged it off and said “I can step aside in 2 seconds when the traffic gets moving” Isn’t this the attitude that gets people killed on our roads?

A helmet is too hot and messes with my hair. Accidents don’t affect me. Seat belts are really not effective. It is too much of an hassle to walk around to a pedestrian crossing when I can weave through traffic?

And what were they thinking distributing pamphlets at the junction to drivers. This is what I observed – people paying scant attention to the road and reading the sheet of paper. Disaster waiting to happen.

I am not the greatest driver on earth but I certainly think keeping your eyes and ears on the road help. Which means no papers, no cell phones while driving.

Maybe next time Thozhan and its volunteers would think of a better way to spread the message than turn themselves into targets on our roads.