Bhubaneswar: The State Transport Authority (STA) of Odisha has seized the scooter of jatra actress Rani Priyadarshini after a reel of her driving the two-wheeler without wearing helmet went viral on social media.
Sources said the actress shared the video on her social media handle which triggered widespread public criticism over road safety concerns.
The video showing the actress riding a scooter without wearing helmet drew sharp reactions with several critics accusing her of setting a poor example by violating traffic rules.
While the STA acted swiftly and seized the scooter of the actress, the she could face legal consequences, including a potential fine, for the breach of traffic regulations.
In a post on X, the STA said, “Taking such reckless driving seriously, the STA has directed Bhubaneswar RTO-2 to take necessary action as per the MV Act. The RTO team with the help of Badagada police has seized the two-wheeler. Thank you for bringing it to the notice of STA.”
The STA authorities have also advised people against filming any videos or reels on public roads, underlining the importance of road safety and legal compliance.
It may be noted that the Motor Vehicles Act (MV Act) of India mandates that all two-wheeler riders and pillion riders wear helmets while riding in public. The law aims to reduce the severity of head injuries, which are a leading cause of road accident fatalities and long-term disabilities.
The fine for driving a two-wheeler without a helmet under the Motor Vehicles Act (MV Act) is Rs 1,000. The rider’s license may also be suspended for three months.