Bhubaneswar, Jan. 2: Cuttack-Bhubaneswar police have taken a major step to ensure the safety of senior citizens, who do not have immediate relatives in the city.

Director-general of police (DGP) Prakash Mishra unveiled a car sticker for senior citizens while attending the fifth commemoration day of the Cuttack-Bhubaneswar police on the seventh battalion ground in Chandrasekharpur today.

Enrolled senior citizens in the city police area would be provided with these stickers to affix on the rear and front windows of their vehicles, so that while driving, other motorists would be able to identify them and cooperate instead of creating unnecessary problems.

The sticker, measuring 7X3 inches, bears the words “senior citizen driving” in block letters along with the Cuttack-Bhubaneswar police emblem. It contains black font on white background and can be seen at night.

The stickers would be provided to senior citizens who have enrolled with the Senior Citizen Security Cell that was created in 2010. Residents who have crossed 60 and have been staying alone with none of their nearest relatives in the city are eligible to register with the cell. There are around 400 such senior citizens who have been getting all kinds of help from the city cops.

DGP Mishra said the cops wanted to create a secure environment for women, children and senior citizens, who fell in the weaker section of society. “These stickers will help senior citizens to drive safely on the road,” said Mishra.

Deputy commissioner of police Nitinjeet Singh said they often got complaints from these senior citizens that while driving they had been facing problems. As they drive slower than others, motorists keep honking to overtake them.

“We hope that after these senior citizens affix these stickers on their vehicles, at least 70 per cent of the people on the road will co-operate with them, and those that don’t will be booked,” said Singh.