After showing leniency, the city traffic police have started to enforce strictly the rule making wearing of helmet mandatory by two-wheeler riders.
CHENNAI: After showing leniency, the city traffic police have started to enforce strictly the rule making wearing of helmet mandatory by two-wheeler riders.
The traffic police booked a whopping 6,000 cases of violations of the rule in the city yesterday alone, making its intentions clear to the motorists of the city. Each of them were levied a spot fine of Rs 100, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Sunil Kumar, told here on Friday.
"Since June 1 (the day the rule came into effect), we booked an average of 600 cases per day", he said indicating the helmet preferences of the two-wheeler riders in the city.
The government notified the rule following an order of the Madras High Court on a public interest litigation petition.
Dispelling any doubts over the status quo of the rule, Kumar said the rule was "definitely being implemented." He especially said this in the light of a lot of confusion prevailing in this regard.
Stressing that the final GO on wearing of helmets will be implemented in toto, with women pillion riders, children below 12 years and followers of certain sects and beliefs exempted from wearing helmet, he said police was determined in enforcing the law.
Though the government before June 1 made clear its intention to enforce the rule, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in a statement a few days after the rule came into force said people should not be harassed in the name of its implementation, prompting people to disregard the rule.
Kumar said police would also act tough against road-users using mobile phone headsets and music instruments like iPods while driving. "The law prevents use of mobile phone while driving and using a headset is no exception," he said.
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