Terming the awareness programme undertaken by the Kollam police as praiseworthy, the Kerala High Court on Friday asked the state to consider conducting awareness programmes across the state on the consequences of not wearing helmet while riding two-wheelers and using mobile phones while driving.
A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice A M Shaffique said that awareness creates sense of responsibility among the general public. The court passed the order by disposing a petition filed by P K Lazar of Poothole, Thrissur against the act of Kollam police imposing punishment on persons who ride two-wheelers without wearing helmets by compelling them to write impositions. The police insisted the offenders to write impositions that they will not ride two-wheelers without wearing helmet and they will not use mobile phone while driving, petition said.
The petitioner contended that the intention of the Kollam police is to attract publicity through media. The regulation or punishment could be implemented by the agency authorised for the enforcement of law, the petition said.
State Attorney P Vijayaraghavan submitted that it is part of the awareness programme by the police in Kollam regarding the need to use helmet. “It cannot term as an imposition of punishment and it is only a measure to give awareness on road safety,” the state said.The court observed that if it is part of the awareness programme the court cannot term it as punishment or penalty.