Thiruvananthapuram: State police chief Loknath Behera on Sunday issued a circular instructing the cops who are on duty enforcing the new rule mandating pillion riders in two-wheelers wear helmet not to touch the body of the person driving the vehicle and that lathi should not be used at any cost.
The checking should be carried out by a four-member team including a sub inspector. One member of the team should be entrusted with capturing the pictures of the exercise.
The circular made clear that the district police chiefs will be made responsible for lapses, if any.
The circular comes in the wake of the new rules coming into effect on December 1. That the incident in which a motorist was injured after a policeman part of a vehicle checking team threw a lathi on a two-wheeler driver for not wearing a helmet also forced the police chief to lay rules for the operation. The teenager had sustained serious injuries after his vehicle lost balance and hit a car coming from the opposite side. The police later suspended the policeman responsible for the act.
Motor Vehicles (Driving) Regulations, 2017, have elaborated on the steps for stopping vehicles by a police officer in uniform or an authorised officer of the state government.
The regulation pointed that the officer may stop a motor vehicle by giving a signal using a technical device on the vehicle or a signalling disc or red light for verifying the certificate of fitness of the vehicle or for collecting required information in respect of the vehicle or the driver or other occupants of the vehicle."
A circular had empowered officers to use digital means for detecting traffic-related cases in 2012.
However, these directions have not yet been implemented.
Recently the high court had also noted that equipment like digital camera, traffic surveillance camera, mobile phone camera or even hand-held video cameras should be used to detect traffic offences.
The court had also made clear that two-wheeler riders should not be pursued in a 'hot chase' for booking him for not wearing a helmet. This will put the life of the officer and the offender under threat.
Moreover, there will be foolproof evidence for initiating legal action against offender if cameras are used.
On Sunday, the first day after making helmet mandatory for pillion riders, police and motor vehicle department did not levy fines. Instead they went for an awareness driver. There were also complaints that there was a shortage of helmets that can be used by children.
