Traffic cops urge motorists to wear good quality helmets amid rising number of two-wheeler rider deaths in Hyderabad

Most of the fatalities in accidents in recent times were of two-wheeler riders particularly pillion riders, and most of them not wearing helmets

Hyderabad: Recent road accidents involving two-wheelers have become a cause of concern, with the police observing that most motorists were found not adhering to the helmet rule even after repeated warnings. Apart from this, the rash and negligent driving of heavy vehicles too has become a nuisance to deal with.

Most of the fatalities in accidents in recent times were of two-wheeler riders particularly pillion riders, and most of them not wearing helmets. Though the police have been conducting special drives, motorists continue to violate the traffic rules.

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According to the police officials, in a few recent instances, the victims had worn helmets, but unfortunately died on the spot or succumbed to injuries in the hospital. Some were fatally injured as they did not wear the headgear properly or wore a substandard or duplicate helmet.

Expressing concern over motorists not adhering to the helmet rule even after repeated warnings, a senior police official said, “We can say more than half of the fatal road mishaps being reported have two- wheeler drivers or pillion riders as victims. In most of those cases, it is observed that they did not wear helmets or were not worn properly”.

The chances of a rider dying in a road crash would be greatly reduced if proper and standard helmet is used, the official said.

With several such incidents being reported of late, the Traffic Police is asking citizens to compulsorily wear a good quality helmet. Apart from urging motorists to compulsorily wear a good quality helmet while riding or pillion riding on a motorcycle, officials advised to fasten the helmet straps properly.

Also, the Traffic Police warned citizens to adhere to traffic rules or else face legal consequences.

“People have to change their behaviour and practise a safer way of commuting. Sometimes we also find motorists hang their helmets on their vehicles or use under grade head gears,” said a traffic cop from Kukatpally.

The police have already started penalising those who try to escape penalties by wearing hard hats (usually worn by construction workers) and half helmets. The officials say neither the half helmets nor the construction headgears would help them escape from head injuries in case of a mishap.

“It is good to buy a quality helmet,” quipped the senior police officer while adding, “don’t just buy, but wear it properly and strap it rightly.”