Dibrugarh: Dibrugarh Police has initiated an intensive enforcement drive against helmetless riding, effective Sunday in response to a massive surge in motorcycle fatalities.
This action follows a report, revealing that 90% of the 17 motorcycle riders who lost their lives in the district last month were not wearing helmets. As per data, 15 out of the total 17 two-wheeler fatalities that occurred in Nov were due to helmetless riding.
In view of the alarming statistics, Dibrugarh SP Rakesh Reddy chaired a District Road Safety Committee (DRSC) meeting on Sunday, where he announced an ambitious goal of making Dec a "zero road accident month" and outlined several strategic initiatives to achieve the target.
Reddy highlighted several strategic initiatives aimed at raising awareness and enforcing helmet laws. These measures include increased patrolling, checkpoints and public awareness campaigns to educate riders on the importance of helmet use.
"Wearing a helmet can mean the difference between life and death. We want to ensure that every rider understands this critical issue. Strict action will be taken against anyone found violating helmet regulations," the SP added.
During the meeting, which was attended by key officials, including SDO (Sadar) Arijit Mahajan and district transport officer Hirakjyoti Deka, the SP reviewed the recent surge in road accidents and discussed proactive measures to address the issue. Reddy instructed committee members to organise awareness campaigns about the importance of helmet use, collaborating with the district transport department and the traffic branch.
In addition to helmet enforcement, Reddy highlighted the need for stringent measures against drink driving, especially with New Year festivities approaching. He directed officials to enhance monitoring at entry and exit points of popular picnic spots to deter reckless behaviour among drivers.
"Safety on our roads is a shared responsibility and together we can make a difference. We can significantly reduce accidents and save lives through a coordinated approach," Reddy said.