The Rawalpindi police said on Wednesday that it had introduced stricter measures against motorcyclists who were travelling without helmets, with petrol stations and parking lots also instructed not to entertain them.
The drive, which is taking place across the province, resulted in the Rawalpindi traffic police issuing 1,640 challan tickets for violation in one day. The total fines that stand to be collected from these challans is Rs328,000. Motorcyclists without helmets are fined Rs200.
As part of the drive, the police have decided a novel measure for Mall Road. Motorcycles using this busy artery Mall Road would have their vehicles impounded if they travel without helmets. The vehicle would only be released once the motorcyclist brings his helmet.
The traffic police have decided to affix a special sticker on the helmets to ensure people don’t share helmets instead of buying their own.
Meanwhile, the additional deputy commissioner issued a letter to the chief traffic officer (CTO) to ensure petrol stations and fuel pumps were refuse petrol to motorcyclists who don’t have a helmet.
Rawalpindi CTO Taimur Khan said that his department was working on the ‘Helmet Nahi, Safar Nahi’ (No helmet, no travel) slogan as part of the drive. He reiterated that petrol pumps and parking lots had stopped provided service to those flouting the helmet rule. The Rawalpindi CTO said that legal action would be taken against pumps and station that give petrol to motorcycle riders without helmets.
Several petrol pumps in the city had banners informing motorcyclists about the helmet rule.
A source within the traffic department said that a mechanism had been developed to ensure petrol stations were complying with the orders. The drive is taking place across the province
Meanwhile, the department urged traffic wardens and duty officers to exhibit patience when dealing with motorcyclists not complying with the helmet rule.
The decision to enforce the helmet rule comes in the wake of an alarming rise in accidents in the province. During the four Eid holidays alone, more than 6,000 traffic accidents took place across Punjab in which 45 people died.
Most of the accidents involved motorcyclists, including fatally.
In one such incident on Wednesday, a collision between a motorcycle and car resulted in the motorcyclist dying of head injuries.
Four others were injured in the accident, including the second person on the motorcycle who also suffered head injuries. He was said to be critical.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 6th, 2023.
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