THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Two wheeler riders will not get petrol from petrol pumps from August if they do not wear helmets. As a first step it will be implemented in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode corporation limits.
"The decision was taken in the wake of alarming rise of deaths due to two wheelers in the state. All the oil companies with whom we had discussions on the issue has agreed to the proposal and would be implemented from August," Transport commissioner Tomin J Thachankery said.
As a first step, this would be implemented in three of the corporations and later would be spread across the state, he said. Pointing out that a majority of the accident deaths was that of two wheeler riders, he said that 80 per cent of the deaths in two wheeler are caused by head injury.
All the petrol pumps will have boards displaying the instructions. Moreover, the petrol pumps have agreed to install CCTV that would be linked to the department. The enforcement squad would also be made vigil for enforcing the new direction, Thachankery said. A letter has also been sent to the Police chief for support of policemen in making the initiative a success, he added.
He also said that the decision was now restricted to the three cities because of the shortage of enforcement personnels. "We have written to the government for increasing the staff strength," he said.
On the new trend of super bikes that comes under 800 cc and above category, the transport commissioner said that a proposal has been given to the government for bringing in a new law for controlling these vehicles.