Police clarify misconceptions of helmet rule

PUNE: “There are a lot of misunderstandings amongst people regarding the helmet rules. The law is already in place and it has been implemented every year. We are just intensifying it. The law has empowered police to fine bike riders who are not following helmet compulsion. People claiming 2003’s amendment in Motor Vehicle Act 1988, that helmets are not compulsory in municipal areas, are misinformed. As the Bombay High Court and Supreme Court have scrapped this amendment,” said DCP (Traffic) Tejaswi Satpute.

She was speaking during a helmet awareness ride organised by Zehnx Innovation Pvt Ltd, Premier Group and Rotary Club Akurdi at the police ground in Shivajinagar on Saturday. 

About 1,000 bikers participated in the ride.  Police Commissioner Dr K Venkatesham was also present.

“Enforcement of law began from 2005 itself, we have just intensified implementation from January 1. If you go through yearwise data, a large number of bikers faced  action for not following helmet rules since 2005. More than 70,000 bikers have been fined this year and a positive impact of this drive can be seen as more two-wheeler riders have started using helmets,” she added.

Explaining the severity of accidental deaths in the city, DCP Satpute added, “Last year, out of the 253 road accident deaths in Pune, 182 were of two-wheeler riders. We need to create awareness to avoid this.”

Sancheti Hospital Director Dr Parag Sancheti said, “People should support this drive as it will reduce chance of head injury.”

Further, he also scrapped narrative that due to helmet, riders’ side vision gets affected. He explained that mirrors on the bikes have a purpose and bikers must use them while driving.

Dr Shailesh Hadgaonkar, also from Sancheti Hospital, said, “Claims by some people that helmets cause neck pain or spondylosis of neck are baseless. There are lightweight helmets in the market for people facing some inconvenience.” 

He further added, “In my medical practice as a surgeon, I saw many cases of head and other accidental injuries to patients which ruined their families. Many times, we are able to save the patient but he could not follow same life as before. And many people face complications throughout their life. Hence, prevention is better than aftermaths of accidents.”