NEW DELHI: Traffic cop Sandeep Shahi used to gift helmets to those riding motorbikes on some of the world's most dangerous streets with their head unprotected - but on reflection, he found a better approach.
By flashing a mirror at violators, Shahi has been able to shame riders into reflecting on the thin line between life and death on New Delhi's notorious roads.
Although the law mandates proper headgear for bikers in the Indian capital, it is common to see youngsters zip past either without a helmet or with one dangling from their arms, undaunted by the threat of a 1,000-rupee (US$14) fine.
India's 'moonwalking' traffic police official is turning heads
Women riding pillion also often give the helmet a miss - sometimes just for fear of ruining their hairstyle.
"For the last four years I had been trying to persuade riders to wear helmets but to no avail," Shahi told AFP.
"Then one day when I was riding pillion with my friend on a bike, I saw myself in the mirror without a helmet and I felt ashamed.
"Then it struck me that if I make others see themselves in the mirror, they might feel ashamed and start wearing a helmet. A mirror never lies."
Shahi says his trick has worked so far. Riders have apologised and promised never to go on the roads again without headgear.
"I have also prepared slides about road safety rules which I show to commuters. I am very happy that this simple mirror has proved so effective in curbing violations."
Indian traffic warden fines man for not wearing helmet while driving car
A United Nations study in 2016 estimated helmets gave bikers a 42 per cent better chance of surviving a serious crash.
On the streets of Delhi - where rash and drunk driving is commonplace, as is the sight of a family of four squeezed onto a bike - more than 1,600 people were killed in road accidents last year, according to traffic police data.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ