Nagaland Motorcycle Club installs reflective boards on NH-29

DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Motorcycle Club (NMC), to promote road safety along the NH-29 Chümoukedima stretch, which has been prone to accidents, installed retro-reflective boards with the message “Helmet saves, speed kills” to encourage motorists, particularly two-wheeler users, to obey traffic laws and follow personal safety measures.

This initiative by the club aims to reduce accidents and ensure a safer riding experience.

The boards, according to NMC president Peter Rutsa, will be visible at night from a satisfactory 100 metres; he expressed hope that the boards will help and remind road users—especially two-wheelers—to obey traffic laws and follow safety measures.

Rutsa said the boards, crafted by NMC members, were made possible through public donations which totalled INR 43,000, although the final cost was slightly higher.

Rutsa maintained that the club, founded in 2010, has evolved from a group of people with a passion for riding motorcycles and seeking adventure to a club now promoting tourism, engaging in philanthropy, social activities, community awareness programmes with the government, and fulfilling responsibilities assigned by the Government of Nagaland whenever the need arises.

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ACP Niuland, Nokin Longkumer, expressed his satisfaction with the Nagaland Motorcycle Club’s initiative, acknowledging that they have taken on the project as a responsibility despite not being obligated or mandated to do so.

He encouraged the club to continue such efforts and assured them of departmental support. He hoped their initiative and responsibility would inspire others to take collective social responsibility, promoting a sense of civic duty beyond government-led measures.

EAC Chümoukedima, Kevithito Rose, highlighted the NH-29 highway’s double nature—one side being Nagaland’s best highway, while the other is prone to accidents that have claimed many lives. He applauded the club for going beyond their duty to educate two-wheeler riders and motorists about road safety.

Rose expressed gratitude for the NMC’s initiative, noting that it is changing the public perception of bikers, as people tend to see them in a negative light. He emphasised that the club’s efforts send a strong message about responsible riding and civic engagement, showcasing that hobbies and responsibility can coexist.

He further added that by promoting road safety, the NMC is demonstrating its commitment to the community’s well-being, challenging stereotypes and fostering a positive image of motorcyclists.

Rose urged the public to follow traffic rules, avoid reckless riding, and remember that life is precious and irreplaceable. He emphasised that drivers are not only responsible for their own lives but also for the lives of others on the road.

Highlighting the weight of responsibility that comes with driving, he encouraged motorists to be mindful of their actions and consider the potential consequences of their behaviour.

This responsibility taken up by the club, he acknowledged, promotes a sense of accountability and caution on the roads, which can help reduce accidents and ensure a safer driving environment.

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