Helmet rules to be strictly enforced from June 1

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The District Administration, with the help of the police, residents’ associations and NGOs, is launching an advocacy campaign from Thursday to encourage two-wheeler riders to wear helmets. From June 15, the helmet and seat belt rules will be strictly enforced in the district.   District Collector Dinesh Arora, who chairs the Road Safety Authority (RSA), has said that there has been spurt of incidents where riders are injured mostly because they did not wear a helmet. There are already High Court directions and it has been decided to organise a massive advocacy campaign with the help of all law enforcement agencies and NGOs, FRAT and ASHA members to create awareness among motorists. Arora also directed RTOs to assist Police in strict implementation of the helmet rule. RSA will procure two alcohol meters which would give printouts of alcohol value. It was also decided to place hoardings andbanners in the district for advocacy of these measures. It was also decided that repeated offenders will also be charged for negligent and rash driving.  From June 15 onwards, the District Administration will strictly enforce the helmet, seat belt and no-mobile-phone-during driving rules. The District Collector said ISI-marked standard helmets will be available at all Maveli / Super market stores of Civil Supplies Corporation at reasonable rates. RSA also instructed NATPAC to design roundabouts at junctions between Kazhakkoottam to Kovalam since there are high chances of accidents due to overspeeding.