Helmet use helps reduce 80% head injuries

During the last two months, 11,751 accidents had been reported out of which 7,182 were related to motorcycles

LAHORE: The mandatory use of the helmet by motorcyclists has caused up to 80% reduction in major head injuries in road accidents as the City Traffic Police (CTP) started a crackdown against violation of helmet rule from September 24.

However, the remaining 20% head injuries were inflicted to those pillion riders who were not using helmets, APP learnt from statistics collected on this account from public and private hospitals to date.

During the last two months, a total 11,751 accidents had been reported out of which 7,182 were related to motorcycles. Furthermore, 267 motorcyclists received spinal injuries while 1,188 head injuries and 1,188 single fracture. The implementation on helmet rule at The Mall was 99%, whereas at all other thoroughfares in provincial capital remained 90% during the last two months. The CTP would also launch a crackdown against pillion riders, including women for not using helmets from December 1st at The Mall which later would be expanded to other roads, following the directions of Lahore High Court (LHC).

The LHC has also directed the CTP to take action against violation of side mirrors on motorbikes and lane and line discipline.

The CTP had written letters to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab and DIG Operations Lahore, to not allow any policemen motorcyclist to enter the Police Lines without helmets. The CTP has also recommended imposing a ban on the sale of petrol to motorcyclists without helmets in the provincial capital.

The CTP had launched various programmes to aware the people about traffic rules and laws and use of helmets besides distributing awareness material, including 50,000 booklets and pamphlets, while 500,000 students from different educational institutes were imparted education regarding the use of helmets while riding motorcycles. The CTP had also written letters to put in place measures to check and fix prices of imported and local helmets at the city markets.

Meanwhile, the sale of petrol to motorcyclists without the helmet would be banned from December 1, in Rawalpindi after an approval was given by the DC there.

A special crackdown was carried out across Punjab to implement traffic rules and laws including use of helmets, lane and line discipline, use of rear mirrors, rear and front lights and others.