Mumbai police penalise 48,000 people for riding without helmets

In a special drive, the Mumbai police has penalised around 48,000 persons for riding motorcycles without helmets. The Mumbai police started the special drive to nab riders without helmets on January 2. For the past four days, the traffic police team has been taking strict action against the rule breakers.

Sustained efforts and general awareness have brought down the numbers, said the police. It is mandatory to wear helmets while riding two-wheelers. According to the traffic police, more than 500 people riding two-wheelers die in accidents in the city every year. The drive was launched to bring this figure down.

In south Mumbai, in the past four days, 4,994 riders were penalised by the Mumbai police. Central Mumbai had the highest number of riders penalised at 11,799, while in east Mumbai the numbers were 7,549 and in west Mumbai it was 8,201. In North Mumbai, 5,094 were penalised and within traffic wing 10,079. “A week ago, we had started a drive against traffic violations, such as not wearing helmets. The sustained efforts by the police to fine the violators and a campaign to spread awareness about the safety of wearing helmets will gradually bring about a change in the attitude of the people. It is very important for riders to drive safely and follow the rules. The message has been conveyed to all citizens that they have to wear helmets or else strict action will be taken against them,” said DCP, crime, Dhananjay Kulkarni.