Now, Prateik helps cops strap helmets on bikers

After India's leading cricketers, budding Bollywood actor Prateik (he goes by his first name only) has become Delhi traffic police's latest ambassador.

Taking time out of his shooting schedule, Smita Patil's son, Prateik, was seen helping the city's traffic police on Sunday morning. Standing at the Janpath and Rajpath crossing, he was part of a drive undertaken by the traffic police to teach bikers about the importance of wearing a helmet while driving.

He was accompanied by Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of police (traffic) and other officers of the department.

The actor is shooting in Delhi for his upcoming film 'Prem Katha' which is being directed by Gautam Menon.

Later, talking to the media, Prateik said he will be driving a bike in the upcoming film, but will make sure that he's wearing a helmet in the scenes.

"This is a basic safety concept and people should follow this for their own safety," said the budding actor. He also asked a female biker to wear her helmet while driving a bike. "Though it's not mandatory in Delhi, women should wear helmet for their safety," said the 24-year-old star.

Garg said that in the the past two years, 691 people had died in Delhi each year, in two-wheeler accidents. Of those who had died, most of them were not wearing helmets. This year, till July 15, a total of 316 people have died in bike accidents in the city.

Police have prosecuted 1,83,221 bikers this year till July 15 for driving without wearing helmets, said Garg.