Campaign for safer roads
Akash Awasthi and V K Datta surprised motorists in Chennai by riding their motorbikes blindfolded to stress the need for safe driving.
The stunt was staged on Oct. 7 to urge especially offensive drivers to follow traffic rules to make the roads a safe place for all.
The men from Jadugar Anand group rode on separate motorbikes flanked by volunteers.
The riders were blindfolded with a piece or cardboard, cotton and plaster of paris cut in the shape of an eye glass – held together with a band of black cloth wrapped over.
Before starting, a hood was placed over their face and volunteers guided the riders to their motorbikes.
The speaker of the state Legislature Mr. K Kalimuthu flagged off the stunt at Kamarajar Arangam and the blind folded drivers took off on separate routes.
Awasti rode along Mount Road, Triplicane, Royalpettah, lwarpet, Raja Annamalaipuram, Adayar, Saidapet, Venkatanarayana Road, T. Nagar and Teynampet. Datta took Nungambakkam High Road, Chetpet, Aminji Karai, Anna Nagar, Egmore, Haddows Road men ended their daring performance back at Kamarajar Arangam.
Volunteers who rode anlongside alongside the stuntmen said it was amazing to watch them make the correct turns and curves. The blind folded riders even adjusted speeds and applied brakes to avoid potholes and collision with other vehicles.
Awasthi later attributed the unusual skill to a combination of tricks, meditation and concentration. Their message to the public was simple; when blindfolded riders can navigate safely on busy roads, why should accidents take place during normal driving. “Just concentrate and follow the rules to make the roads a safe place for all”.
