Now pillion riders will also have to wear helmets while travelling. Bringing stricter traffic norms, the State Government has decided to make helmet mandatory for a pillion rider from March 1 on completion of the three-month relaxation period.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday after a meeting on road safety in New Delhi, Transport Minister Padmanabha Behera said helmet which was compulsory for motorcycle riders would now be mandatory for pillion riders too. Strong action would be taken against defaulters of this rule.
Besides, checking drives against traffic violation would be intensified after completion of the three-month relaxation period, he added.
This apart, seat belt for persons travelling in a four-wheeler except the driver would be made compulsory.
Asked if fine amounts for violation of traffic rules would be reduced, the Minister said no decision in this regard has been taken so far.
Notably, the State Government had on November 28 relaxed the enforcement of new traffic rules by another three months in view of heavy rushes at the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across the State. The Government also made it clear that the relaxation would not be extended further.
Prior to this, the Government had relaxed the enforcement of the new traffic rules under the Motor Vehicles Act-2019 for three months in September.