Helmet rule: Cops warn of 1k fine in the offing

The traffic police have warned the riders in the city to be prepared to pay a fine of Rs 1,000 if they fail to wear helmets as the revised fines for traffic violations are expected to be implemented soon. 

As per the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill that has been cleared by the Parliament, the fines for various traffic violations have increased manifold and it would be implemented soon after the nod from the President.

In order to avoid unnecessary confrontations between public and police officers once the revised fines are implemented, the police have issued a reminder to the riders to be prepared to shell out Rs 1,000 if they violate the helmet rule. It is finable up to just Rs 100 now.

In a press release, the city traffic police said that no excuses from the violators would be entertained. “Motorists behave as if the helmet rule is exempt when they step out to go to the nearby market or to pick up and drop children in schools. 

They should understand that accidents could take place anytime. Both rider and pillion rider should wear helmets. Safety of children would also be ensured by this,” said the press release.

When contacted, Additional Commissioner (Traffic) A Arun said that the revised fines will be implemented soon after they get the notification from the government. “We want to create an awareness among motorists about the revised fines before it is implemented,” he said.

Traffic police said that most of the road accident victims are youngsters and 90 per cent of the fatality is due to non-wearing of helmets. “Even those who wear helmet do not tie the chin-strap,” said the police. 

There should be an attitudinal transformation among the general public and all two-wheeler riders and the pillion riders should take a resolution that they would always wear helmet, added police officers.

In another case of confrontation between public and the police over the helmet rule, the Periamet traffic enforcement police have booked a man who argued with the police when intercepted for not wearing helmet. 

The traffic police, who were involved in a vehicle check at Choolai junction around 11.30 am on Tuesday, found a duo travelling on a two-wheeler without helmets and intercepted him. However, the motorist identified as Deepan Kumar of Kodungaiyur started arguing with him claiming that police were not supposed to stop the violators on the middle of the road. 

He allegedly said that his brother was a lawyer and argued that what police did was wrong as per the Indian Penal Code.

He also called the police control room and demanded action against the traffic police. As per the direction of senior officers, Deepan Kumar was fined Rs 700. The police said that he was fined Rs 500 for not cooperating with the police and Rs 100 each for the rider and pillion rider for not wearing helmet.

The Periamet traffic enforcement inspector, Chandramouli, said that the riders should understand that the helmet rule is for their own safety and asked them to cooperate with police.

Meanwhile, the Airport traffic enforcement police conducted a traffic and helmet awareness programme for 1,000 students of a private university on Wednesday. Contests were also conducted and Deputy Commissioner (Traffic, South) N M Mylvahanan distributed prizes to the winners.