Vijayawada: After the implementation of the rule of the compulsory use of helmets for two-wheeler riders, a new problem has arisen- helmet thefts.
Protecting helmets has become an additional burden. Instances of helmet thefts have increased esp-ecially at the busy roads where parked vehicles were targeted the most.
Apart from the cost of the helmet, the vehicle owners also have to spend a lot to avoid challans from the city police and the transport department.
“Helmet thieves are thriving in the city and I personally lost two helmets in the last 10 days. I had locked my helmet with a plastic holder but the thieves broke the lock with implements and stole my helmet. It has become a burden for me to keep buying helmets,” said Kavali Durga Rao, a rider.
Citizens were not inclined to lodge complaints about the helmet thefts as the cost of the helmet was marginal.
“Theft of helmets has become common in the city and we are not in a position to complain about them. A recent CCTV footage of a helmet theft showed that a decent-looking person came on a motorbike to steal a helmet. This clearly showed that people who were vexed with buying helmets were now stealing them,” said M. Narasimha Rao, a rider.
Meanwhile the need for high quality locks to protect helmets is in great demand. “Buying a helmet has become a big headache for us as sellers have increased the prices and in addition to that we were now incurring more expenditure to buy locks of a high standard to safeguard the helmets,” said Anil N, a B.Tech student.
The city police say that no cases of helmet thefts were registered in the city and recommended that motorists have to take additional measures to protect their helmets by carrying them along.
