Amritsar traffic police launch campaign to apprise people of importance of wearing helmets
Days after the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the states of Punjab and Haryana and Union Territory of Chandigarh to file details report on challans issued to two-wheelers or to those with pillion riders wearing no safety helmet, the traffic education cell of the city police on Friday embarked upon an awareness drive and distributed helmets to school children.
Residents of the holy city, including youth, refrain from wearing the mandatory helmets while driving two-wheelers and this despite the fact that a majority of the challans issued by the traffic wing is for helmet-less driving.
The traffic education cell led by Sub-Inspector Daljit Singh in collaboration with Indian Head Injury Foundation, Delhi, led by Dr Chitra on Friday distributed helmets to school children studying in Classes V to VIII at Government Senior Secondary Smart School at Chabba.
Daljit Singh said the step has been taken by the traffic wing of Punjab Police led by ADGP (Traffic) A S Rai to spread awareness about the importance of wearing helmets while driving two wheelers.
“The school children were made aware of the importance of wearing helmets as it can prove helpful in saving precious lives during sudden road mishaps,” he said, while adding that head injuries were major cause of fatalities during road accidents involving bikes and scooters.
Among others present on the occasion were school principal Avtar Singh, school staff, people of the area and parents of children.
The amendment to Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act mandates the use of helmet for all motorcycle riders above the age of four, including women, except Sikhs wearing turban. The High Court had taken suo motu cognizance with regard to the safety of women on motorcycles, particularly Sikh women not wearing turban.
As per the amended Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, driving a scooter or bike without helmet is a serious traffic violation and can attract a fine of up to Rs 1,000. The traffic police can also impound the vehicle or suspend the driving licence.
