Maharashtra Police has directed all personnel to strictly follow helmet rules while riding two-wheelers. The move aims to reduce accident fatalities and improve public compliance, with strict disciplinary action for violations under the Motor Vehicles Act
Representational image. File pic
The Office of the Additional Director General of Police (Traffic), Maharashtra, has instructed all police personnel across the state to strictly comply with helmet usage while riding two-wheelers.
The order follows directions issued by the Director General of Police during a meeting held at the Nagpur Police Commissionerate earlier in April.
As per the official statement, the data from the past decade shows that two-wheeler riders account for nearly 35 per cent to 40 per cent of fatalities and serious injuries in road accidents across Maharashtra.
The official statement also added that while wearing helmets significantly reduces the risk of death and severe injury, it has been observed that police personnel themselves have not been consistently adhering to the rule.
The findings, supported by the Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety, highlight that helmet compliance exceeds 80 per cent in Mumbai and Nagpur but remains below 20 per cent in several other districts.
Strict orders for police personnel to use helmets
Authorities have now directed senior officers to ensure strict enforcement of helmet rules among police staff. Under Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, wearing a helmet is mandatory for all two-wheeler riders.
The department has also warned that any police personnel found violating the rule will face legal and departmental action. Also, the instances of officers riding without helmets, especially if captured and circulated on social media, will attract fines and could be recorded in their service records as intentional misconduct.
The official statement further added that the move is aimed not only at safeguarding the lives of police personnel but also at reinforcing public compliance with traffic laws across the state.
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