The State Transport Authority (STA) would launch a two-week long special drive against helmetless riders on National Highways (NHs) and State Highways (SHs) from August 16 to 30.
Helmetless driving is widespread in the State especially on the NHs and SHs despite it being a major cause of grievous injuries and fatalities in road accidents.
As many as 1,308 persons, including riders (868) and pillion riders (440) of motorised two-wheelers, were killed in road accidents in 2021. Most of them were not wearing helmets. A total of 1,280 persons were grievously injured and 747 had minor injuries in accidents involving two wheelers.
Sanjay Biswal, Joint Commissioner Transport, Road Safety said, “It has been observed that out of the accidents taking place on NHs and SHs many are related to two-wheeler riders. Due to continuous enforcement activities people are using helmets in the urban areas but are unfortunately avoiding wearing helmets on highways where protection is much more needed,”
H
Biswal appealed to the two-wheeler riders and pillion riders to follow the traffic rules and wear helmet for their safety.
Earlier in a crackdown on helmetless riders on NHs and SHs from May 15 to May 21, the enforcement officers imposed penalties on 10,661 two-wheeler riders and 2,505driving licenses were suspended.
In a special drive conducted on July 30, 1469 riders were issued challan for helmetless driving and as many as 117 vehicles were seized.
During the special drive, the triple riders and juveniles driving two-wheelers will also be penalised.
According to the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act 2019, riding without helmet attracts a penalty of Rs. 1,000. If a person riding pillion is not wearing helmet, then the driving licence of the rider would be suspended for three months and a fine of Rs. 1,000 would be imposed on him or her.