Hyderabad: The helmet rule went into effect in the city on Tuesday, and about half of the two-wheeler riders ignored the traffic police threat that their vehicles could be seized for repeat violations.
“They will realise their mistake when their vehicles are detained and they have to report for long-duration counselling,” said additional commissioner of police (traffic) Jitender.Almost no pillion rider was found wearing helmet. Traffic police said they would implement that rule later.
Some two-wheeler riders rushed to purchase helmets. “We did see very many customers coming in,” said Mr Vishal Gupta from a helmet showroom at Abids.
Many of the two-wheeler riders to whom this correspondent spoke said they did not know of the three-violation limit.However, almost everyone was aware that wearing a helmet is now mandatory.
Typically, motorists gave excuses. “Can the traffic police guarantee that there will be no death in road accident if one wears helmet,” questioned Mr K.R. Nishant.
Ms Deepthi Kumari said women after all should be exempted from this rule.
“We drive slowly. Most of my friends who wear a helmet complain of hair fall,” she said.
Two-wheeler rider Aslam Baig said, “I think traffic police gets a commission from helmet showrooms.”
Brushing their complaints and comments aside, DCP Traffic (Hyderabad) A.V. Ranganath and his counterpart Avinash Mohanty at Cyberabad said the special drive would be intensified and no one would be spared.
