BHUBANESWAR: After exhausting quite a few options, including collection of a hefty Rs 500 penalty from non-helmet users and temporary suspension of their driving licenses (DLs) — the Odisha government has decided to adopt a novel method to ensure that all the two-wheeler riders in the state use helmets to save themselves from head injuries.
According to sources, the state government has planned to launch a state-wide “no helmet-no fuel” campaign as a public movement and ensure its implementation in petrol outlets across the state as a road safety measure.
In the first phase, the campaign will be started in the state capital Bhubaneswar and the adjoining city Cuttack. Later, it will be launched in other parts of the state.
In fact, chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi has instructed the transport and commerce ministry officials to coordinate with the state police to vigorously take up the campaign to minimise the quantum of casualty due to head injuries.
A total of 18,000 driving licenses have been suspended so far, state transport commissioner Chandra Shekhar Kumar informed on Saturday. “Driving offences as well as non-use of helmets are committed by the drivers are being entered to their DL data base. “A biker committing five such offences would face suspension of his or her DL for a certain period,” he added.
