Hyderabad: Don’t have a helmet? Then RTO offices are off limits. RTA authorities have made helmet a must to enter RTO offices across the city now.
On Monday, motorists coming to RTA Khairatabad were warned and asked to wear helmets. After the recent decision by transport minister P. Mahender Reddy to enforce the compulsory helmet rule, RTA authorities are now enforcing the rule even on those paying a casual visit to its offices.
While enforcement on the roads has been left to the traffic police, the RTA will be taking up enforcement on visitors to its offices. In fact, all RTO offices in the city are now displaying banners declaring, ‘No helmet, no entry.’
If one has survived without a traffic challan for driving without a helmet so far, it makes sense to have the safety gear as not only cops but RTO offices have joined the enforcement.
The rule will apply not only on people coming to RTA offices for registration of new vehicles but also for all visitors.
Currently, enforcement of the helmet rule on city roads is not absolute but after the transport minister’s orders the enforcement drive has been beefed up.
“By making the wearing of helmets compulsory when visiting RTO offices, we want to send out a strong message to people about the seriousness of the issue. Motorists coming to RTOs without helmets will be turned away and will be allowed only if they come back wearing a helmet,” said C. Ramesh, the in-charge joint transport commissioner, Hyderabad.
