VELLORE: A majority of two-wheeler riders here obeyed the government order to wear helmets on the first day of the helmet rule enforcement on Wednesday in Fort City.
Those who did not posses helmets avoided using two-wheelers fearing police action. Some daring riders tried to avoid the main roads where they expected police checks while most riders used helmets purchased on earlier occasions.
Some pillion riders did not have helmets and were alert to get off the vehicle in case of unexpected police checks.
“This is a big handicap,” said a social activist, who said that even if he wanted to give someone a ride, he could not do so as they may not posses a helmet. He also suggested that there must be relaxation for the pillion riders from the compulsory helmet rule.
The unavailability of helmets continued to be an inconvenience for some riders as they were seen making desperate enquiries at shops selling branded helmets.
The city has three to four helmet shops, all of which ran out of helmets on Tuesday when the demand soared.
One of the shop owners said that he had placed an order with the distributors and that stocks were on their way. Utilising the demand for helmets in the State, manufacturers have been insisting on payment of cash before the delivering goods, deviating from the earlier practice of credit sales, he added.