As part of measures aimed at curbing road crashes and the deaths of two wheeled automobile riders, the Uttar Pradesh Transport Department on Sunday proposed a strict ‘no helmet, no fuel’ policy in all the cities of the state. Transport Commissioner Brajesh Narain Singh issued an official letter dated January 08, directing fuel station operators not to dispense fuel to two wheeler riders who are not wearing helmets including the pillion rider, under dressing regulations for fuel stations.
The letter which was taken to all district magistrates in the 75 cities of the country and was also sent to divisional commissioners is presented without a veil, emphasizing on the character of the measures with the supporting evidence. The evidence shows that a greater percentage of two wheeled vehicles drivers do not wear protective helmets while riding their vehicles.
It is noteworthy that the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath this month stated that in the state between 25,000 and 26000 people are killed every year as a result of road accidents. ‘Most of the fatalities that occur among the cyclists during the motorcycle accidents are as a result of not wearing headgears. The principle purpose of this policy is to prevent loss of life and most importantly enhance safety,’ part of the letter states.
According to Singh, this program was started in 2019 in Gautam Buddh Nagar but its application was sporadic. The latest order urges to implement the law across all districts in the state without any exception.
“Big boards reading ‘No Helmet No Fuel’ Should be put up should be put up,”
The transport commissioner also prescribed measures designed to ensure that this policy is successfully implemented. “Petrol station owners must be trained in the appropriate provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 and the Uttar Pradesh Motor Vehicles Rules of 1998. Ongoing collaboration with the police and the regional transport offices RTOs is necessary for the successful execution of this policy facet,” the letter read.
Singh passionately defended the need for these safety signage to be put up at petrol stations and suggested that to promote riders’ awareness, the “No Helmet, No Fuel” boards should be used at petrol stations. So, as part of this policy, media platforms should also be utilized and public notices to push the message further and increasing public awareness.
“Sweeping awareness campaigns targeted through social media, print and electronic media has to be done. As is everything, it has to be targeted towards making people understand that helmets are not just mandatory because the law says, they are life-saving devices,” Singh said.
As part of the compliance measures, government law enforcement agencies and administration officials were requested to carry out a periodic evaluation of the policy. Additionally, the letter requested the fuel station operators’ assistance in encouraging the use of helmets.
“pump personnel must clearly comply with these instructions and refuse to provide fuel to riders of two-wheeled motorcycles lacking helmets and notify the authorities of habitual offenders”, it added. The transport department did not hesitate to remind the citizens that a helmet is not merely a requirement but an invaluable life-saving device.
“This motivates the riders to change their behaviour and take responsibility for their own safety as they ride and also on the road,” Singh said.