50 helmetless pillion riders prosecuted
Jamshedpur, July 28: Concerned over the rising cases of road mishaps, the district traffic police embarked on a drive checking the helmets of riders and pillion-riders too and also ensure that the visor of the head-gears is clean and in good condition.
The crackdown was launched near Sakchi police station along Sakchi-Bistupur Road for nearly three hours starting from 11 am and nearly 50 helmetless pillion riders were prosecuted under the supervision of DSP traffic Jamshedpur, Baban Singh.
“We have decided to conduct similar checks for pillion riders without helmets even in other parts of the city. It has been there in the Motor Vehicle Act (MVI) but we have not been following it strictly as the focus on enforcing wearing of helmets for drivers of the bikes. However, following the directive of SSP we have now decided to enforce helmets for pillion riders too,’ said Singh.
Incidentally, there are five traffic police posts in the city at Bistupur, Sakchi, Golmuri, Jugsalai and Mango.
“Wearing of helmets by pillion riders is mandatory in the light of the MVI Act 1928 section 129 which mandates wearing of safety helmets (meeting ISI specification) for both driver and pillion rider. As per MVI provision, each of the offenders not wearing a helmet would have to pay a fine of Rs 300,” said an official of district transport office.
For instance, if the driver is wearing a helmet and the pillion rider is not wearing a helmet then only the pillion rider will have to pay Rs 300. However, if both driver and pillion rider are without helmets then they would have to pay Rs 600.
“We have taken the decision to make the pillion-rider wear a helmet because the number of pillion-riders falling victim to fatal road mishap in and around the steel city is increasing. The decision to enforce wearing helmets on the pillion-rider is in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Act,” said an official.
Speaking about the measures being taken for curbing the mishaps on the city roads, the DSP (traffic) said that they have put up about hoardings across the city so as to create awareness for riding by wearing helmets, not to do drunk driving, tighten seat-belt while driving and avoid triple-riding. He said apart from the hoardings, the department has put speed-breakers wherever they felt necessary.
