In Tiruchy, cops have been on crackdown on violators in the last four days and booked as many as 1,753 cases for not wearing helmets. Meanwhile, Zia ul Haq, Superintendent of police (SP), Tiruchy, on Tuesday organised a special awareness programme at Kattur, near Tiruverumbur, highlighting the importance and safety of wearing helmets while riding two-wheelers.

The event also explained in detail all the road safety rules and the need to follow them. Police personnel have also been spreading awareness about the same by distributing pamphlets and by organising various programmes to the public. 

However, many pillion riders in Tiruchy city were ignoring the latest rule introduced by the state government and were not wearing helmets.

Following this, the city and rural police launched a massive crackdown in the last four days. As many as 1,253 cases were registered within the city limits and around 500 were booked for violation of the rule in rural areas. 

The police have warned that strict action would be taken if riders chose to violate the rule. Nearly 47 fatal accidents and 339 non-fatal mishaps were reported in Tiruchy, in which 443 sustained injuries and 48 lost their lives. The fatality rate could have been reduced had the riders followed traffic rules, a police official said.