Jamshedpur: The district transport office (DTO) of East Singhbhum has made it compulsory for even pillion riders to wear helmets and said it will impose fines on erring riders from Monday. The department has also asked petrol pumps to follow a ‘no helmet no fuel’ rule to make the efforts bear fruit.
District transport officer Dinesh Ranjan said, “The DTO and traffic police will jointly conduct drives and impose a fine of Rs 500 on erring riders as per the provisions of the new Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act.”
Deputy Superintendent of Police (traffic) Baban Singh said officials of the five traffic police stations will conduct checking at different spots from Monday. “Petrol pump owners have also been asked not to give fuel to bikers if the pillion riders are not wearing helmet,” Singh said.
Police will also conduct surprise checks at petrol pumps and examine CCTV footage at the stations to see the orders are effectively being complied with.
Harvinder Singh, the owner of a refilling station at Ram Mandir in Bistupur, said, “Helmets are a must for the safety of the both the driver and the pillion rider. We will strictly follow the rules that have been laid out.”
Meanwhile, denizens were divided on the decision to impose the rule at a short notice. “The administration should have first conducted an awareness drive for a few days to enlighten the people about the dangers of pillion riding without helmets and the gone for the fines,” said a 26-year-old employee of Tata Steel and a resident of Sakchi requesting anonymity.
Sanjay Dubey (53), who owns a bike, said helmets for pillion riders should have been made compulsory years back. “A person who is sitting behind on a two-wheeler has the risk of receiving major injuries in an accident. Such instances are plenty, hence helmets for pillion riders should be a must,” said Dubey, a resident of Mango.