Patna, Jan. 16: The Road Safety Week programme, which began on January 10, concluded on Saturday at SK Memorial Hall.

The theme of the programme was Sadak suraksha ko apnao, aao kuch kar ke dikhao (take measures for road safety, it is time for action). The programme focused on traffic guidelines.

"No law and order can bring about change unless the people change their attitude," said superintendent of police (traffic) P.K. Das.

Das said the Road Safety Week was organised every year to create awareness among the public about ensuring safety on the road. "This kind of social awareness is very useful. We started issuing fines to motorists who were breaking traffic laws and drivers who did not have their seatbelts on."

Das explained how accidents tend to increase when show disregard for traffic rules. "Nothing in this world is more important than your life. In Bihar, one person dies every four minutes because of road accidents. People quarrel with us regarding the challans we issue against them for breaking rules on the road but they should realise that it is all for their safety," he said.

He cited Sweden as an example, where only one accident occurred last year because of their road safety project - Vision Zero. "We must learn from them," said Das.

Students of Radiant International School presented a skit on road accidents that occur because of disregard for traffic rules.

Orthopaedic surgeon Amulya Kumar Singh showed a PowerPoint presentation, which highlighted the number of road accidents and the first-aid all citizens should know of. In India, around 44 per cent people die because of road accidents, he said.

"In most road accidents, the victim dies because of wrong manner in which he or she is lifted after the accident. Many avoid assisting the injured fearing police involvement. Do not hesitate to help," said Amulya.

"People spend money on screen guards for their smart phones to prevent scratches but they do not want to spend money on helmets, which save lives," he said.

Bihar State Disaster Management Authority chairman Anil Kumar Sinha, said: "A Supreme Court order says any person who meets with a road accident must taken to a hospital immediately. Hospitals must not ask for police complaints to admit the injured person."