A Road Safety Awareness Rally was launched by Krishna District Collector B Lakshmikantham, along with DCP Kanthi Rana Tata and Deputy Transport Commissioner Meera Prasad in Vijayawada.
As part of this road safety initiative, Vijayawada’s bikers have to compulsorily wear a helmet. While it is already compulsory to wear a seatbelt, this development followed the guidelines from the State Road Safety council.
Speaking to TNM, Collector Lakshmikantham said, "the concerned department’s officials have brought down the accident death toll drastically with certain safety measures, but now we want to make it zero."
“The analysis of the accident deaths revealed that at least 20% of deaths can be prevented if people wear helmets," he added.
"People’s safety is our first priority. Citizens must cooperate to make Vijayawada a zero-accident zone," he said.
DCP Kanthi Rana Tata, who also participated in the programme, stated that they will start enforcing the rule from Friday onwards, and spread awareness among people alongside.
"The Road Safety Council, consisting of transport, police and municipal authorities have decided to compulsorily implement the helmet and seat belt rules," said Deputy Transport Commissioner Meera Prasad.
"From today onwards, bikers without helmet will be fined with Rs 100, and repetition of the offence will attracts a suspension of the driving license as per the Section 129 of the Motor Vehicle Act. It is not just about the implementation of the Act, but also about precious lives " he reiterated.
.jpg?w=640&auto=format%2Ccompress)
Officials also stated that the Transport and Police departments would work together in order to make sure that motorists follow safety measures,
Officials from concerned departments participated in the bike rally which passed through the main junctions in the city.
Several youngsters also took part in the safety awareness rally.