HELMETS , DRIVING LICENSE COMPULSORY FROM WEDNESDAY

It may be mentioned here that the Hyderabad High Court taking into cognizance the increasing number of fatal accidents, especially those involving two-wheelers, had recently directed the Transport Department and the Traffic Police to strictly enforce the rule of compulsory wearing of helmets by motor-cyclists and scooterists. As a first step in this regard, the Transport and Traffic police officials launched in a big way a motivation drive to encourage citizens about the benefits of wearing helmets while driving two-wheelers. A big advertisement campaign was also undertaken by putting up posters and flexes at all important junctions and also on main thoroughfares regarding the importance of wearing helmets.

            After nearly two months of educating and motivating drive, the police launched a final drive to inform about the helmet rule by catching two-wheelers



riding without helmets at many important junctions and busy roads this morning. The Traffic police caught the helmet-less riders and warned them that if they fail to wear helmets from Wednesday they would be penalized and even jailed.

Police officials indicated that along with the implementation of helmet rule, wearing of seat belt for motorists and also possessing required driving licence would also be implemented. If a person is caught without a driving licence, the vehicle would be seized and released after payment of fine. What is more, the person caught would also be convicted for a day till the rising of the court. If the person is caught for the same offence second time, then he would be jailed for a day, a third time offence would result in two days imprisonment and fine. Habitual offenders would be jailed for one week and also imposed a heavy penalty.

The police appealed to the citizens not to forget wearing helmets while riding a two-wheeler besides carrying driving license. Also motorists should not forget to wear seat belts, carry driving license, they said. What is more if anyone found talking on mobile phone while driving would have to face the wrath, the police added.