Traffic cops won't detain helmet-less riders in Ahmedabad till August 16

Good news for those who have not bought helmets yet. Looks like the 'soft' approach of the traffic police will continue for some more time now, instead of the earlier announced date of August 13.

Since the Regional Transport Office (RTO) will remain closed on three consecutive days starting from August 13, the traffic department has decided not to detain vehicles of helmet-less riders till it opens again on August 16.

On August 13, all government offices including RTO will be closed due to Rakshabandhan. August 14 is a Sunday while August 15 is a national holiday for Independence Day.

In order to implement the compulsory helmet rule for riders of two-wheelers, the traffic department had announced a 'no tolerance' policy earlier. It warned people to wear helmets or face detention of vehicles from August 13. The vehicles can only be claimed back from RTO and that too after paying a hefty fine.

But, since the RTO will be closed for three days, it will be impossible for vehicle owners to claim their bikes. The traffic department also fears it may run out of space to park the detained vehicles.

Nilesh Jhajhadia, DCP, traffic, said: "We realised that detaining vehicles when the RTO is closed will cause trouble to the public as well as police. Thus we will not detain vehicles till August 15," said Jhajhadia.

He also met RTO officials to plan the entire operation after August 15. "After that date we will not show any mercy," he said.