HYDERABAD: The crackdown by Hyderabad traffic police to rein in bike riders driving sans helmets is making people rush to stores to buy them.
As increasing numbers of people queue up to buy helmets, the prices increased by a whopping 40 pc in some localities. What used to cost about `850 a few months ago, increased to Rs 1150.
On Tuesday alone, Hyderabad traffic police caught over 2,000 people driving without a helmet. Apart from fines, they were also made to undergo counseling sessions at traffic police stations.
Inspector of Goshamahal Traffic Training Institute, M Sreenivasulu, said they are educating people on what they would loose if helmet is not used. “We explain how people were able to save their lives by wearing helmet. Not only the driver, pillion rider should also wear helmets, because when an accident occurs, pillion rider also receives injuries”, Sreenivasulu said.
He added that their priority is to ensure safety of drivers, and videos explaining risks of not using helmets are shown to violators.
Those who are caught for initial two violations are counselled at local traffic police stations. On the third violation, they will be asked to attend the session at the Goshamahal Institute.