Chennai: Nearly 95 per cent two-wheeler users were wearing helmet on Wednesday, the day compulsory wearing of helmet rule came into force. Till evening, the police had booked 1,008 two-wheeler riders in Chennai for not wearing helmet. “We are very happy about the response from two wheeler riders. There are more than 35 lakh two-wheelers in Chennai” said Chennai police Commissioner, S. George.
In the core city area, as per the police estimates, 95 per cent bike riders were wearing helmet while in suburbs nearly 85 per cent two-wheeler users adhered to the rule. The Commissioner noted that most pillion riders were not wearing helmet on Wednesday. The HC had said that both the rider and the pillion should wear helmets. According to senior police officers, it was not about strict implementation, but people themselves deciding to wear helmet for their own safety.
It was a clear sign of progress made in terms of reaching out to city resi-dents. George said the small number of offenders booked were mainly in the age group of 25-50 years. “Pillion riders should also wear helmets. Though we initially emphasised that only the rider should wear helmet, the city police would take measures in reaching the cent per cent compliance in terms of using helmets in course”, he said when asked whether children travelling in two-wheelers should also wear helmet.
“A team of nearly 300 officials, including traffic inspectors, sub inspectors and special sub inspectors, will randomly enforce the helmet rule across the city. Two acknowledgment receipt books – one for the original documents and the other for vehicle while impounding for deviation— had been handed over to the team” the officer added.
“The police are seizing the bikes if you are found without helmet and original documents. But if you violate the helmet rule, but have original license or RC book, only the documents will be impounded. It will take at least two days to get back your driving license and two-wheeler if seized. It’s better to wear a helmet than struggling with cops and court,” another police officer said.
