Journalism of Courage
City police commissioner Gulabrao Pol on Thursday issued an order preventing two-wheeler riders without helmets from entering the police commissionerate premises. The order was passed after a report submitted by the traffic control branch highlighted the traffic norm violations.
The rule has come into force and even the cops visiting the commissionerate on two-wheelers without helmets were asked to park their vehicles outside. As a result,some cops have purchased new helmets to get entry into the premises.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (traffic control branch) Vishwas Pandhare said,A few days ago,our branch submitted a report to the commissioner and he passed an order in favour of the helmet rule. Those not wearing helmets will not be fined. However,they will not be allowed to enter the premises with their two-wheelers.
Meanwhile,the commissioner of Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation Shrikar Pardeshi in a circular has appealed to civic body staff to use helmets while driving two-wheelers.
Former police commissioner Meeran Borwankar too had passed such an order earlier making helmets compulsory for police personnel riding two wheelers in the city. Some cops were also fined for not following the order.
The initiative is aimed at creating awareness among citizens about use of helmets while riding two wheelers. In many road mishaps involving two wheelers,it was found that those killed had no helmets on. Under section 129 and 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988,wearing helmets while riding two-wheelers is compulsory and the defaulters can be fined Rs 100 for violating the rule.
