The Indian Express 03.07.2013
BMC suggests campaign against headphone use in public
involving pedestrians, BMC councillors have suggested a public awareness
campaign to highlight the dangers of using headphones/earphones in
public spaces.
According to a proposal by Shiv Sena corporator Arvind
Dudhwadkar, awareness of the ills of using headphones/earphones may curb
the number of accidents involving pedestrians. Data from the National
Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) show that Mumbai witnessed the maximum
number of deaths or injuries to pedestrians involved in road and rail
accidents in the country.
Dudhwadkar, corporator of the high-profile D-ward area around Tardeo,
has suggested advertisements akin to anti-tobacco commercials.
“This is a decision that should be taken by the state and
civic body to raise awareness of the dangers of using headphones in
public. The user can get distracted by the music and cannot hear any
warnings. This is a very serious matter as it can be fatal, especially
in environments with moving vehicles. We should put up posters, have
advertisements aired on televisions and in theatres, among other such
sensitisation campaign tools,” said Dudhwadkar, who drew up the proposal
after witnessing the fatal accident of a 17-year-old girl near Dadar TT
road in June. “Safeguarding against speeding vehicles is one aspect of
curbing accidents but if drivers blare the horn and the pedestrians do
not hear it because of their earphones, who can be blamed?” the Sena
corporator said. The proposal will be up for discussion and approval
this month.
Mayor Sunil Prabhu said the proposal would have to be
discussed with the civic administration to see if such an awareness
campaign can be carried out. “I will speak to the officials concerned to
see if we can undertake such a cause for public awareness,” said
Prabhu.
