Thiruvananthapuram: Two-wheeler drivers beware. If you do not wear a helmet, you may have to return in vain from petrol pumps. The Motor vehicle department has issued an order to petrol pump owners and petroleum companies making helmet compulsory for two-wheeler drivers who come to pumps to fill fuel in major cities like Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode and from August 1. If the decision is found to be effective in these cities, it would be extended to the whole of the state covering over 6.5 lakh two wheeler owners.
Transport commissioner Tomin J. Thachankary told reporters here on Wednesday that petrol pump owners have been asked to put up boards announcing that helmets were compulsory for filling petrol. However, transport minister A.K. Saseendran said the order would be reviewed if its implementation becomes impractical.
Meanwhile, Two-Wheeler Association President Kuruvilla Mathews has made clear that they would move the court against the direction.
The petrol pump owners will be also encouraged to put up CCTV cameras to effectively implement the directive, Mr Thachankary said.
“We had convened a meeting with petrol pump owners and asked them to implement the project from July 14. However, they had asked for more time and that is why the decision was postponed to August 1,” Mr Thachankary said.
The decision was because of the 4,340 vehicle accidents reported last year, 1,300 involved two-wheelers, Mr Thachankary said.
A squad will be deployed to routinely check such violations by monitoring petrol pumps. In case of violation. officials can issue a fine of Rs 100 to Rs 1,000. In case of repeated violations the department can terminate the licence of those involved. It would be recorded in police documents and would have a negative mark on him during verifications for PSC test and foreign travel, Mr Thachankary said.
The fine will be enhanced to Rs 2,500 once the amendment bill before the Assembly become a law, Mr Thachankary said.
