‘I Am a Safety Hero’: Punjab Police’s Road Safety Campaign Empowers Farmers
In a landmark move to curb the rising incidents of road accidents involving tractor-trolleys, Punjab Police, under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has rolled out a comprehensive road safety awareness initiative titled ‘I Am a Safety Hero’. Launched in collaboration with Yara India, the campaign was formally inaugurated at the Punjab Police Headquarters on April 23 and marks a significant step toward safeguarding rural lives and enhancing traffic awareness across the state.
A Unified Effort for Safer Roads
The campaign, spearheaded by the Traffic and Road Safety Wing of Punjab Police, aims to directly address the high rate of road mishaps involving agricultural transport vehicles—primarily used by farmers. According to Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Traffic and Road Safety A.S. Rai, the project reflects a deeper commitment to preventive education and sustained behavioural change among road users.
“This initiative is rooted in collective action, education, and awareness. It’s about empowering the community to take ownership of their safety,” said ADGP Rai.
The Scope and Tools of the Campaign
To build grassroots awareness, Punjab Police has introduced reflective safety stickers for tractor-trolleys, along with specially crafted Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials. These resources will be disseminated across all district-level Traffic and Road Safety Education Cells, ensuring widespread outreach.
The IEC tools, coupled with practical training and demonstrations, are designed to engage school children, farmers, transporters, and mandi workers through interactive sessions.
Flagship Event at Khanna Mandi
The campaign kicks off with a three-day Model Farmers’ Awareness Camp at Asia’s largest grain market—Khanna Mandi, starting Thursday. This camp will include:
- Air-cooled classroom booths for farmers
- Focused safety sessions
- Live demos on road safety protocols
- Distribution of safety gear and reflective stickers
- Street plays and interactive awareness drives
SSP Khanna, Jyoti Yadav, will inaugurate the event, which is expected to draw hundreds of participants, setting a benchmark for rural safety campaigns.
Alarming Statistics Prompt Action
Between 2017 and 2022, Punjab recorded 2,048 tractor-trolley accidents, leading to 1,569 fatalities—most of them farmers. These incidents constitute approximately 5–6% of all road deaths in the state, with rural roadways being the most affected.
This data underscores the urgency for focused interventions targeting agricultural transport safety—a goal the current campaign is rigorously pursuing.
Yara India’s Role in Rural Safety
Sanjiv Kanwar, Managing Director of Yara South Asia, highlighted the agricultural giant’s vested interest in farmer well-being:
“Through ‘I Am a Safety Hero’, we are bringing life-saving knowledge directly to farmers. This partnership ensures our message reaches deep into the heart of rural Punjab.”
Kanwar emphasized that education, when combined with tangible safety tools, can drastically reduce avoidable fatalities on state roads.
A Replicable Safety Model
Dr. Navdeep Asija, Director of the Punjab Road Safety and Traffic Research Centre (PRSTRC), reiterated that Khanna is just the beginning. Plans are underway to replicate the model across other rural mandis and communities, ensuring localized solutions tailored to regional needs.
Beyond April 28: A Long-Term Vision
The current campaign will run intensively through April 28—marking the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. Post this date, a statewide road safety education drive will continue, with targeted outreach in schools, mandis, and other high-risk rural zones led by Punjab Police’s dedicated traffic education cells.
Collective Responsibility, Lasting Impact
ADGP Rai concluded with a strong message on the role of community in road safety:
“This is not just a government or police initiative. It’s a call to action for every stakeholder—from students and farmers to corporates and traffic authorities.”