Despite being a major contributor to severe injuries and fatalities in traffic accidents, wearing a helmet while driving is still very common throughout the state, particularly on the NH and SH.
The Odisha State Transport Authority will begin a two-week special campaign against helmetless riders on the National Highways (NH) and State Highways (SH) throughout the state on August 16 in an effort to promote road safety.
In 2021, road accidents claimed the lives of up to 1308 people, including riders (868) and pillion passengers (440) on motorised two-wheelers. Most of them did not have helmets on. In accidents involving two wheelers, a total of 1280 people suffered severe injuries, while 747 suffered only moderate ones.
In a news release, Sanjay Biswal, Joint Commissioner for Transportation and Road Safety, stated: “It has been seen that many accidents on the NH/SH involve two-wheeler riders. Due to ongoing enforcement efforts, people
Joint Commissioner for Transportation and Road Safety Sanjay Biswal stated in a news release: “Out of the incidents that occur on the NH/SH, it has been seen that many involve riders of two-wheelers. Due to ongoing enforcement efforts, more people are wearing helmets in urban areas, but regrettably fewer are doing so on highways, where protection is far more necessary.”
Further, he stated, “Despite the fact that wearing a helmet is required, pillion riders rarely do so despite having a same risk of accidents as the driver. Riders shouldn’t endanger the safety of the passenger if they take care of their own by wearing helmets.” Biswal urged two-wheeler drivers and passengers to observe traffic laws and wear helmets for their own safety.
In an earlier campaign against helmet-less riders on NH/SH from May 15 to May 21, the enforcement officers fined 10,661 two-wheeler drivers and suspended 2505 driving licences.
During a special drive on July 30, 1469 riders received challans for operating a vehicle without a helmet, and as many as 117 cars were impounded.
The triple riders and minors using two-wheelers will also face penalties during the upcoming special drive.
Up until August 30th, the special driving will be in effect. The Motor Vehicles Amendment Act of 2019 imposes a Rs 1,000 fine for riding without a helmet.
If a passenger is not wearing a helmet, the rider’s driving privileges will be revoked for three months and a fine of Rs 1,000 will be assessed.
Despite being a major contributor to severe injuries and fatalities in traffic accidents, wearing a helmet while driving is still very common throughout the state, particularly on the NH and SH.
Prasanta Patnaik 
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