Berhampur to make helmets compulsory

Annapurna Market, Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: Use of helmets will be made compulsory for two-wheeler riders in Berhampur city from February 15. Berhampur superintendent of police Prateek Mahanty said vehicular traffic was increasing in the city and it was time that people should wear helmets. “Authorities are contemplating to make helmets compulsory for the two-wheeler riders from February 15. What is required is a mindset and we have given sufficient time, more than one month, to the two-wheeler riders to buy helmets,” said Mahanty. “We would organise awareness programmes involving students, social activists and general public on the use of helmets for the two-wheeler riders and are working out a mechanism to enforce the regulation. This would be in accordance with the Motor Vehicle’s Act,” he said.

Head of the department of the surgery unit of MKCG Medical College and Hospital Rasananda Mangual said: “I personally don’t think there is any situation where a helmet could make you less safe. But, I am quite sure head injuries will be worse without helmets.” “In the past eight months, we have received 1,200 cases of accidents at MKCG involving motorcycles and most of them are head injuries. Use of helmets will help reduce the injuries. I further request the Berhampur superintendent of police to impose an order for the two-wheeler riders to limit their speed to 20km in the city,” Mangual said. In another development, a group of students of City High School, Govt Girls’ High School and volunteers of the Prerana organised a road safety awareness campaign rally at Ramlingam Tank Road here on January 5. Hundreds of students took part in the rally with banners carrying message on road safety and importance of helmets.

Source: The Telegraph