Guwahati News Desk: The Kamrup (M) District Transport Office (DTO) in Guwahati has ordered strict enforcement of the rules, requiring both riders on two-wheelers to wear helmets. The new rule will go into effect on December 1. Additionally, Seatbelts will be required in four-wheelers beginning December.
Earlier, only a helmet for the front rider was mandatory. However, this decision comes as two-wheeler accidents have been on the rise in recent times and as per data from Guwahati Traffic Police, 201 people have lost their lives in Guwahati due to road accidents since January this year.
Therefore, the Guwahati traffic police have decided to strictly enforce the wearing of helmets by pillion riders of two-wheelers. The DTO has the power to levy a fine of Rs. 1000 for rule violations and repeat offenders may be charged with an FIR for the crime.
Hiranya Kumar Barman, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Guwahati Traffic, has informed that violators who did not wear helmets on two-wheelers would face harsh penalties and might also face FIR against repeat offenders.
On November 27th, a special drive against traffic rule violations in Guwahati Jurisdiction began. In the Azara and Dispur Police Station areas, 61 two-wheeler riders were fined for not wearing helmets which would now continue in other localities.
Harmeet Singh, Guwahati Police Commissioner, stated earlier today at a press conference in Guwahati that the administration would take strict action against those who violated the new rules. The administration has issued a strict notice stating that it will strictly enforce the rules requiring pillion riders to wear helmets alongside the rider on the two-wheeler. It is to be noted that people who violate the rule will face a fine, and FIRs will be filed if necessary.
Following the amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 in 2019, it is now mandatory for all pillion riders over the age of four to wear helmets, and failure to do so will result in penalties.
