No helmet, no petrol: City bunks on board

Bengaluru: Motorists were in for a surprise on Thursday after they found display boards stating, ‘No Helmet No Petrol’ being put up at petrol bunks in the city.

The city traffic police claimed that it is not a rule but a campaign to create awareness among motorists on the importance of helmets. It is being carried out to ensure that two-wheeler riders are more responsible while they are on the road. The awareness programme will be formally inaugurated in the city on Monday.

Mr Harishekaran, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), told Deccan Chronicle, “The initiative is just to create awareness among two-wheeler riders, as 70 percent of accidents involve youth and most of the deaths are due to helmetless riding.”

He said, “I have personally written to Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum and other companies to join us in spreading awareness and they have confirmed that they will help us in all possible ways. On Saturday, we have a meeting with the Petrol Bunk Owners’ Association and we will tell them on how to go about spreading the message of the importance of helmet.”

A senior traffic police officer said, “The display boards are already being put up at petrol bunks. We are distributing them, but at the same the time a few petrol bunks have volunteered to prepare the board themselves. It should be noted that no traffic police official is forcing the bunks to put up the boards. It is their choice to support us.”

Mr Jagadish K.V., DCP, Traffic (East), explained, “Legal immunity will be given to petrol bunk owners and employees for no helmet, no petrol initiative.”

Further, the department is also thinking of putting up display boards on the revised fine structure for traffic violations. “Vehicle riders stop for a considerable time at petrol bunks, where awareness can be created,” he said.

Petrol Bunk Owners’ Association president Ravindra said that they will attend the meeting and extend their cooperation to the authorities. “First we will see what plans are being made by the traffic police and then see how it can be implemented,” he said.

By Sunday night, most of the bunks will have the boards displayed.