Nagpur: In a bid to curb rising fatalities and injuries among two-wheeler riders, Nagpur Police is set to implement a strict rule mandating helmets for both riders and co-passengers. Acting on directives from the Additional Director General of Police (Traffic), Maharashtra, Arvind Salve, the city police are gearing up for enhanced enforcement measures. The notification in this regard is likely to come on Thursday, November 28.

The traffic department’s recent analysis highlighted a significant increase in accidents involving helmetless riders and co-passengers over the past five years. A circular issued by the ADGP Traffic on Monday, November 25, has instructed all police commissioners and superintendents across Maharashtra to strictly enforce the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Sections 128 and 129, which mandate helmets for two-wheeler riders and pillion riders.

To facilitate enforcement, changes have been made to the e-Challan system, allowing for separate entries for violations by riders and co-passengers. This change addresses the previous issue where both violations were clubbed under a single category, making it difficult to track co-passenger compliance.

“Nagpur Police will now initiate stringent action against helmetless riders and co-passengers under separate categories to ensure adherence. Traffic personnel will use CCTV surveillance and manual checks to issue fines, aiming to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities,” informed senior sources from Nagpur Traffic Police. “The notification in this connection will be issued on Thursday, November 28,” sources confirmed. 

Supreme Court’s Road Safety Committee has also emphasized the need for effective implementation of helmet laws to enhance road safety. The traffic department is urging the public to cooperate with the initiative, stressing that compliance can save lives and reduce the burden on healthcare systems.