69 two-wheeler Pune riders fined for not wearing helmets

Cracking the whip on two-wheeler riders without helmets the Pune traffic police have penalised 69 riders, who were caught violating traffic rules like jumping signals, rash driving and lane cutting.

Besides, penalising the riders for the traffic violations the traffic police collected an additional fine of Rs100 each from 69 two-wheeler riders for not wearing helmets.

The deputy commissioner of police (traffic), Manoj Patil, told DNA that the initiative to impose a fine of Rs100 on two-wheelers riders for not wearing helmets and violating traffic rules began from January 1.

Patil said, “But the fines would be imposed only if the two-wheeler riders violate traffic rules like jumping signals or lane cutting. For example, if a two-wheeler rider wearing a helmet jumps a traffic signal, the police would penalise him only for jumping the signal.”

The decision was taken at a meeting of the city traffic advisory committee on November 11. The meeting was attended by the city police and NGOs working for road safety.

The decision to ensure that two-wheeler riders wear helmets was made to prevent fatalities in rising road mishaps in the city.

Till October last year, the city traffic police had registered 174 mishaps involving two-wheelers in the city in which 141 people were killed. A majority of the victims were not wearing helmets and had indulged in rash and negligent driving.

The traffic police are trying to inculcate the habit of using helmets among two-wheeler riders to prevent head injuries during accidents. Head injuries could be fatal, leading to deaths or disabilities.