Gurgaon: At least one person is killed everyday in road accidents in Gurgaon and Faridabad. Alarmed by the rising number of accident deaths this year in Gurgaon (see box), the administration has decided to launch a special drive against drivers and pillion riders for not using helmet, in the first week of January.
Gurgaon inspector general Mahendra Lal said that huge volume of traffic movement on NH-8 and plying of trawlers are the main reasons for road accidents. But, he said, people not wearing helmets are more at risk.
‘‘We agree that most of the deaths occur because the theeler riders don’t wear helmets. I don’t understand why riders are averse to spending a small amount on buying helmets just for their safety. People should get used to wearing helmets now,’’ he said.

I s s u i n g warning to offenders in the city, Lal said that one-week special intensive drive against people riding without helmets will be launched in January first week. ‘‘Our cops will take punitive action against them as per the provisions of Motor Vehicle Act (MVA), which makes it mandatory for both the riders to put on helmets. We are in the process of establishing a separate traffic wing in the city and once it’s in place, we will carry on with the special drive. We can’t let people die like this,’’ the IG said.

According to traffic cops, though the provisions of the MVA is applicable all over the country, in Gurgaon only 10 to 20 per cent two-wheeler riders use helmets.

A senior traffic cop said once people will have to pay challans for violating the Act, they will get used to the idea of wearing helmet.