PANCHKULA: In a bid to ensure the safety of women on twowheelers, the Panchkula administration is all set to chalk out plans to make helmets mandatory for them.The planning is being done following the directions of Punjab and Haryana High Court to ensure compliance by the enforcement agencies under the Motor Vehicle Act.In a statement released on Thursday, the officials of Haryana transport department stated that they were going to ensure compliance to the Supreme Court’s order throughout the state, including Panchkula. Under the provisions of Motor Vehicle Act 1988 and Haryana Motor Vehicle Rules 1993, they will ensure that helmets are worn by all.The Panchkula traffic police said that they have been issuing challan to the women riders since May this year and over 150 defaulters have already been fined till date.“It is mandatory for twowheeler riders to wear headgear approved by Bureau of Indian Standards. Defaulters would be fined by the traffic officials,” the traffic cops said.It has been learnt that people prescribed by chief medical officers (CMO) could ignore wearing helmets. Similarly, turbaned Sikhs are exempted from wearing headgear.The traffic cops have said that rigorous checking campaigns and road safety awareness programmes are on the cards. The awareness campaigns would be organised to highlight the importance of helmets in saving lives.As per the data collected by the Haryana transport department, as many as 4,03,907 riders and 1,50,855 pillions were challaned in the state between January 1 and July 2018 for not wearing helmets. Out of these, 11,309 challans were issued to women during May and June.“We have been carrying out drives to follow the Supreme Court’s order. We are spreading awareness and issuing challans to women riders not wearing helmet,” said inspector traffic police, Panchkula, Suresh Kumar.

Stay updated with all the Chandigarh Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.