Let helmet rule stay, say cops

Let helmet rule stay, say cops
The Times of India
Bangalore: The city police have expressed their disapproval towards any move by the state to withdraw the helmet rule. This, following reports that chief minister Kumaraswamy is planning to revert the rule in view of the Chamundeshwari by-poll.
“We support the decision to make helmet compulsory not only for the rider, but also for the pillion rider. We will convey our points when we hold discussions with the government,” a senior police officer told The Times of India on Wednesday. A large number of traffic policemen in the city echoed the same opinion.
After helmets were made mandatory for two-wheeler riders in early November, not a single rider, who wore a helmet, died in road accidents. According to a senior police officer, three helmetless riders were reported dead ever since the rule came into effect.
In 2006 (till October 31), 290 helmetless riders and pillions were reported dead in road accidents in the city. In 2005, 332 helmetless riders were reported dead and 386 persons in 2004.
Looking at these statistics, the state shouldn’t take a relook at the new rule but extend the rule for pillion riders as well, a senior traffic police official advocated. People in New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Hyderabad are using helmets despite extreme weather conditions, he added.