To tackle the increasing number of fatalities and injuries in road accidents, Nagpur Police will enforce mandatory helmets for both two-wheeler riders and co-passengers. Acting on instructions from the Additional Director General of Police (Traffic), Maharashtra, the police will ensure stricter implementation of the rule across the city. The notification will be issued in this connection on Thursday, sources said.
The directive follows a state-wide review of road accidents over the last five years, which revealed a surge in deaths and injuries involving helmetless riders and pillion passengers. The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, under Sections 128 and 129, already mandates helmet use for both riders and co-passengers, but compliance has been inconsistent.
To streamline enforcement, modifications have been made to the e-Challan system. Violations by riders and co-passengers will now be recorded separately, addressing previous limitations where both were grouped under a single category. This change will enable better monitoring and stricter action against offenders.
Nagpur Police will use CCTV cameras and on-ground checks to penalize violators. Officials have emphasized that this move aligns with the Supreme Court’s Road Safety Committee’s guidelines to improve compliance and reduce road accident casualties.