This City Doesn’t Want To Wear Helmets: Cops Say Ok, Cool!

As surprising as it may sound, the police authorities of Pune do not want their citizens to wear helmets. Let us explain. Recently, a rule was passed in Pune that all pillion riders of a two-wheeler would be required to wear helmets, which is a good thing. However, some so-called activists and other public organizations have pushed the police authorities to enforce this law. For this rule to be repealed, the people of Pune even organized a mock funeral for the helmet as well.

Public criticizes pillion helmet rule

Yes, as stupid as it may sound, some people thought that it would be an amazing idea to perform a mock funeral of a helmet. With this act, they wanted to send a message that helmets are not welcomed by the citizens. It has been iterated by some leaders leading protests related to this pushback for helmets that pillions should not be made to wear helmets.

Some of them even argued that because helmets are “uncomfortable,” riders should also not be forced to wear them. Sampat Jadhav, President of the Motor Vehicle Driver-Owner Association, has stated that “blanket enforcement of helmets cannot be done.” He added that police authorities harass common citizens under the guise of helmet enforcement.

What was the rule?

As stated just a while ago, the Additional General of Police (Traffic) issued a notification regarding the enforcement of the helmet rule. Under this rule, it was mandated that every pillion rider should wear a helmet. This notification was passed on to commissioners and superintendents of police in various districts, including Pune.

However, despite the notification and enforcement, many citizen groups, forums, and organizations started opposing this helmet rule. It has been reported that these groups have sent letters to various authorities, including the Pune Police Commissionerate, traffic authorities, Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissioner, and Regional Transport Offices.

These organizations had also written a letter to Devendra Fadnavis, who has now become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Also, it has to be noted that this is not the first time the public of Pune has protested against this law. The enforcement of this law has already been suspended before as well.

Does it make sense to oppose helmets?

It goes without saying that opposing the enforcement of helmets does not make any sense whatsoever. Also, what is even more stupid is organizing a funeral for something meant to avoid the funeral of a person. For those who may not be aware, in 2023 approximately 54,000 two-wheeler riders died.

Of these, the majority of them did not wear helmets. We understand that wearing helmets does not guarantee that you’ll never suffer any injury after getting involved in an accident. However, boycotting this safety equipment is just plain stupid. Even if helmets are uncomfortable to wear, they should be worn by each and every person riding a two-wheeler.

Many people who have been opposing this rule have stated that police authorities use this rule to harass people. However, back in 2019, Devendra Fadnavis had asked the Pune police authorities to use CCTV camera footage to send challans to such helmetless riders.

Fadnavis at the time stated, “Some MLAs from Pune met me today and told me Pune police, in the name of ensuring people ride wearing helmets, was harassing commuters. They (MLAs) have said such compulsion is causing inconvenience to the riders.”

He added, “In Mumbai and Nagpur, police are levying fines on traffic offenders and on two-wheeler riders not using helmets by using the CCTV network. Pune police too can use technology and fine traffic violators and commuters not using helmets.”

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