Traffic Police to act tough against two-wheeler riders without helmet

SRINAGAR — Traffic Police would soon launch a special drive in Jammu and Kashmir to enforce traffic rules, especially helmet rules, according to which it would be compulsory for both the driver and the pillion rider to wear helmets.

A senior police official said that authorities have decided to enforce strict adherence to traffic rules in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Even the pillion rider of a two-wheeler would be required to wear a helmet. Violation would result in the imposition of a fine under the relevant section of the Motor Vehicle Act,” the unnamed official was quoted as having told the news agency KINS.

The official said traffic police have conducted special drives for enforcing helmet rules in Jammu and Kashmir and during the last six months, more than 80,000 violators were booked for not wearing a helmet.

“It has been observed that despite booking of a large number of violators, there has not been strict compliance of the traffic rules relating to wearing of helmets by the riders of two-wheelers,” the official added.

The Committee of Supreme Court on Road Safety has also given directions that in the case where law relating to the use of a helmet is violated by either the main rider or the pillion rider, then they should both be subject to Road Safety Education and Counseling for not less than two hours before the imposition of a fine.

“During the drive for enforcing helmet laws, therefore, the Traffic Police after intercepting a two-wheeler with the main rider or the pillion rider without a helmet can subject both the main rider and the pillion rider to Road Safety Education and Counseling for not less than two hours before the imposition of fine as prescribed in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988,” the official said.

During the drive, Traffic Police shall also be strictly checking the driving licence of the drivers of the two-wheelers. “If without a driving licence, the driver shall not be allowed to drive the two-wheeler. The two-wheeler shall be handed over only to a person duly authorized by the owner of the vehicle, having a valid driving license, failing which the vehicle shall be seized under Section 207 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988,” the official said.

Traffic headquarters has also issued instructions that in case a person having a Learner’s Licence is driving the two-wheeler with a pillion rider who is without a valid driving licence, then the main rider (driver) should be booked under section 3/181 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 read with Rule 3 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1988.