PUNE: All government officials in the city going to work by two-wheeler or car will have to compulsorily wear helmets and seat belts from Tuesday.Joint commissioner of police Shivaji Bodkhe said on Monday that the government has enacted the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 , and it was decided to make helmets and seat belts compulsory first for its employees, including those working in the police department and the Regional Transport Office (RTO). “Government employees should first implement the law and others will follow suit. Our plan is to encourage people at large to use helmets while riding two-wheelers and seat belts while driving cars. It is for their own safety,” the officer said.Joint commissioner of police Shivaji Bodkhe said plans were afoot to make helmets and seat belts compulsory for employees working in industries and private firms as well.“We are holding meetings and creating awareness among the people. Those not using helmets should purchase a new one by January 1, 2019,” he said.Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, has a provision that makes helmets while riding a two-wheeler and also for those on the pillion a must.Bodkhe said as many as 219 people have died in road accidents between January 1 and November 18 this year and 125 of them were either riding two-wheelers or were on the pillion. “The helmets and the seat belts can save the life of a person in case of accidents.A section of the citizens has been against the use of helmets citing reasons such as the slow traffic in the city, bad road condition, shortdistance travel and poor public transport.Police commissioner K Venkatesham had on November 15 announced that the traffic police would start strict enforcement of helmet rule for all two-wheeler riders in the city from January 1, 2019.He had said the traffic police could not continue with a situation where people were losing their lives almost every other day for not wearing helmets while riding two-wheelers.In a city overrun by two-wheelers, accidents involving them are also high. Despite rules, campaigns and police action about wearing helmets to protect lives, compliance is negligible.Just 16 out of every 100 bikers in Pune city wear helmets while driving, a sample survey by city-based Parisar had found last year. The compliance, according to the findings, was even lower among women and pillion riders. The study was conducted to evaluate the citizens’ readiness for the enactment of the Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill.According to global statistics, proper use of helmets decreases the risk and severity of injuries by 72% and the likelihood of death by up to 39%. India’s Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, makes it mandatory for both driver and pillion rider to wear Bureau of Indian Standards certified helmets.

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