Recently, AP high court directed the state govt to take immediate steps to implement MV Act rules which mandates wearing of head-guard by two-wheeler riders.
The officials of police and Road Transport Authority (RTA) said that the number of two-wheeler riders wearing helmets is on the rise in the city when compared to other cities and towns in the state.
Around 85% of the two-wheeler riders were spotted wearing helmets in Vizag city. However, less than two% of pillion riders in Vizag city think they need a helmet to protect themselves, they officials added.
The ministry of road transport and highways research wing says 2,073 two-wheeler riders and 970 pillion riders were killed and over 4,000 two-wheeler riders and over 2,600 pillion riders suffered injuries in road crashes for not wearing helmets in Andhra Pradesh in 2022.
A decade ago, helmet-violation was around 50% in Vizag city as the fear of not getting caught was the reason for people who had violated the law. It was only after a series of surprise checks and strict enforcement were stepped up and traffic e-challans (₹135 for not wearing head-gear) issued that the motorists started following the safety measures in the city, said a senior police officer.
It is important that one should wear helmet by fastening the strap under the chin, he added.
Though 85 percent of the two-wheeler riders in Vizag city comply with helmet rule, it is not enough. “Lives are being lost as still some of the two-wheeler riders are not wearing helmets and maintaining speed limit. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that all two-wheeler riders and pillion riders use helmets,” said deputy transport commissioner, Vizag, GC Raja Ratnam.
“Initially, I was irritated about wearing helmet as it damaged hairstyle. But after I met with an accident, I realized it protected me from head-injury,” said Anuradha L, a homemaker in the city.
Traffic discipline and patience on the road is something that is not always seen in many parts of the state. As per Section 129 of MV Act-1988, rider and the pillion rider of the two-wheeler must wear head guard. However, most of the pillion riders do not wear helmets, said the police and RTA personnel.
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