Traffic Police at 2013 Republic Day parade Mumbai

Your conception of a traffic policeman is simple: standing on the roads directing traffic. Actually, a traffic policeman does more than this work.

Traffic policemen (and women) not only direct traffic to ensure a smooth and regularised flow of traffic, but are also ensuring that the public follow rules. They catch drivers without a license, those who drink and drive, those who park in no-parking zones and other offenders. They are thereby ensuring that fewer people are at risk because of these offenders. In fact, it is because of the traffic police ensuring discipline that we get to use roads safely.

Here are photos of these fine men and women who are essential for road safety. They were part of the 2013 Republic Day parade at Shivaji Park, Mumbai.