Worried about the increasing number of road accidents recently, students of a Vashi-based management college decided to hold a novel awareness campaign to remind motorists to drive safely.

The budding MBAs handed out chocolates and pamphlets to traffic violators on Palm Beach Road, in order to drive home the message of road safety. The students of Times Business School joined hands with the Navi Mumbai traffic police to raise awareness about serious traffic violations like using cellphones while driving, not wearing seat-belts and not wearing helmets.

Faculty member Lakshmi Mohan told TOI: "After reading about so many road accidents in the city, we decided to hold an innovative campaign to deter people from flouting traffic rules."

"Some of the erring motorists accepted the chocolates and pamphlets, and promised not to repeat their mistakes. However, few people started arguing with us. We then had to patiently explain to them why we are doing this,"added Mohan. The students did not even spare cops who were found breaking traffic rules, she said.

Assistant inspector (traffic) Sadashiv Nikam of Turbhe division, who assisted the students in the awareness drive, said, "The frequent occurrences of fatal accidents is quite worrisome. We hope such awareness drives will make motorists realize the importance of following rules."

Since we keep reading about so many road accidents happening in the city, we wanted to have an innovative programme to deter people from violating traffic rules.''

Just two days to go for Valentine's Day, the management students of a Vashi-based decided to distribute chocolates that reminded motorists not of love, but death.

Along with the chocolates, the budding MBAs also gave out pamphlets to traffic violators at Palm Beach Road that had an illustration of the God of Death, Yamraj, talking on a mobile phone, saying `OK darling… I am waiting.'

Organised in association with Navi Mumbai Traffic Police, the Times Business School students only wanted to raise awareness about traffic rules which should be taken seriously. The road rules included not using mobile phones while driving, fastening of seat-belts, and the use of helmet among others.

Faculty member Lakshmi Mohan told TOI: "Since we keep reading about so many road accidents happening in the city, we wanted to have an innovative programme to deter people from violating traffic rules.''

She added that the students did not even spare local politicians who were caught without helmets or for breaking any other traffic rule.

"Some of the motorists gladly accepted the chocolates and pamphlets, promising not to repeat the mistakes. However, a few people started arguing with us; we had to patiently explain to them why we are doing this,'' added Mohan.

Assistant Police Inspector (traffic) Sadashiv Nikam of Turbhe division, who assisted the students in this awareness drive, said: "The frequent occurrences of serious and fatal accidents is quite worrisome. We hope that such awareness drives helps motorists to follow the rules.''