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Traffic cops wary of enforcing helmet rule

NAGPUR: The police have let off Rajkumar Sahu who was driving a two-wheeler with five passengers when it met with an accident on Wednesday.

His bike collided with an oncoming car near Badkas Chowk. Fortunately for Sahu, barring his leg fracture, none of his family members sustained injuries.

Strangely, the city police have not booked Sahu despite there being a precedent. Apart from travelling on an over-crowded two-wheeler, none of the adults (Sahu and his wife Rameshwari) were wearing any protective headgear which is mandatory as per the Motor Vehicles Act, 19. The driver of the car, however, has been arrested by the Kotwali police for rash driving. The traffic department did not take cognisance of Sahu’s violations of the rules.

The city police, however, reacted with tremendous alacrity in a similar case where a death had occurred. Kamlakar Bobade was booked for culpable homicide and reckless driving after his overcrowded two-wheeler crashed, leading to the death of one his children. This incident too happened on Wednesday.

Police inspector RS Vallabhi of Kotwali police station said that Sahu was let off on humanitarian grounds. “We have already booked the driver of the car for driving rashly and injuring the Sahus,” said Vallabhi even while admitting that the Sahus had flouted traffic rules.

Traffic deputy commissioner of police Harish Chavhan said that the Sahu incident was overlooked as his men were busy with other engagements. He, however, added that traffic personnel have been instructed to nab offenders flouting rules of safety driving.

“We had tried to penalise families crowding on a bike and also others for flouting the passenger restriction norms,” Chavhan said. What he next said was surprising. “We could not find any offender,” he said. On Thursday, TOI had published eight photographs of over-crowded two-wheelers.

Chavhan went on to add: “Our traffic personnel have been alerted. Soon we hope to net some of them.” From his statement, it’s quite evident that the traffic police are not overtly inclined to enforce safety rules.

Chavhan then said that no drive would be undertaken for helmetless driving as the department is wary of a backlash from the public and some politicians. “However, offenders who are caught will be penalised for helmet-less driving too,” he said. “We are keen to enforce the safety rules but citizens are opposing it.”

City police chief Praveen Dixit said that some long-term planning is needed to discourage families over-crowding on a bike and also to wear helmets.

TOI, 21st Feb, 09

snaha321

Yes, the aticle is very true and a real concern for us. In absence of a reasonable administration and honest leadership, it is left to the people to care for their own precious life! If we don't care for ourselves why the hell should other people or systems care for us.
1. Helmet is for our safety and not for obligation of the law.
2. Over crowding brings threat to our people and not to obligation of the law.

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