Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Suresh Arora on Tuesday said that due to sustained efforts made by the Punjab Police, the incidence of accidental deaths in the State has come down sharply by 16 percent.

“This has resulted in decline of 11 percent in injured persons in the state and saving of roughly 4,000 precious lives,” said Arora while addressing the gathering during a helmet awareness campaign.

Arora said that acting strictly against the violators of traffic in the state, the Punjab Police has also issued challans to around seven lakh erring people and recovered Rs 42 crore as penalty from them.

The DGP also said that concerted efforts need to be made for making campaign against traffic violation, a mass movement. “In such scenario, media and people could jointly play an important role,” he said.

DGP, along with the lok Sabha MP Chaudhary Santokh Singh, participated in a traffic awareness campaign wherein around 5,000 residents vowed to wear helmet while driving the two-wheelers.

“This is a noble initiative which would go a long way in making the people aware on this sensitive issue...This is the need of the hour to save the lives of people,” said Arora.

Congratulating the youth which had gathered in thousands, the DGP said that it is a proud moment for Punjab that a message on importance of helmet was originating from Jalandhar and spreading in whole world with this record attempt of maximum number of people wearing helmets.

On the occasion thousands of persons gathered at the venue wearing helmets to spread the message.

Chaudhary Santokh Singh said that such efforts must be replicated in every nook and corner of the state. He announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh for the college, saying that he would support every such endeavour aimed at protecting life of people.

Punjab Police joined in campaign and both the organizations distributed more than 8,000 helmets.