Chennai: The junction of Olympia Tech Park on Jawaharlal Nehru Road at Guindy was worth watching at 9 am on Wednesday. Every time when traffic stopped, one could find a horde of bikers with their shining helmets on waiting for the signal. It was also evident from the sight that many two-wheeler riders, though they had a helmet were not using it daily. The headgear had not lost its sheen and looked new. While most riders were seen wearing helmet, pillion riders were helmet-less.
S. Selvakumar, a wholesale egg seller of Ashok Nagar, said he bought a helmet only yesterday for fear of paying a fine and license being impounded. “It was because of the helmet rule that I bought it.” He said he had never worn a helmet in the past.Those who did not wear the helmets trotted out several excuses. Some two-wheeler riders felt that as they were to travel only a short distance there was no need to wear helmet.
Traffic policemen on Jawaharlal Nehru Salai decided not to impose fines on bikers not wearing helmet on the first day and they were excused.Traffic special sub-inspector S. Sivakumar was elated at seeing a majority of the bikers wearing the helmet.“ Today 90% of the bikers are wearing the helmet. We are neither asking for documents nor charging fine for not wearing helmets. But from tomorrow we are going to seize the driving license of violators,” he cautioned.
