Shoulder‑Mounted Blinking Lights Boost Night‑Time Safety for Odisha Traffic Police

In Bhubaneswar and its twin city, the police are trying something a little different after long nights of watching traffic flow under dim streetlamps. Shoulder‑mounted blinking lights have now been handed to traffic cops, so that even a car travelling at speed can spot them from a distance.

These bright, flashing units cling to the officer’s shoulder strap and flash steadily, cutting through the gloom of poorly lit stretches, rain, fog or the occasional drizzle. The idea is simple – make the men and women directing traffic impossible to miss, thereby lowering the chances of a vehicle accidentally striking them while they’re doing their job.

Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh explained that the move isn’t just about the officers’ safety; it’s also about giving a feeling of security to anyone travelling at night. “When you see those lights, you instantly know the police are there. That small reassurance can change how drivers behave,” he told reporters on Monday.

Singh added that the plan could soon spread beyond the traffic lanes. He is already in talks with the Bhubaneswar DCP about fitting the same lights on police teams stationed at night‑time naka points, where traffic often snarls and visibility can be just as poor.

For now, the shoulder‑mounted lights are being rolled out across the twin cities, with officers reporting that they feel more confident standing on the road at midnight. Motorists, too, have begun to notice the flashing signals, making it easier to follow directions and avoid confusion during those late‑hour jams.