Cuttack: The enforcement team of State Transport Authority (STA) has issued total 24474 e-challans to two-wheeler riders for not wearing helmets during a special drive across Odisha.
The enforcement team carried out special drive on national and state highways between August 16 and 30. They also collected Rs 63,98,116 towards fine and suspended 12,545 driving licenses for riding the two-wheelers without helmet. Total 888 vehicles have been seized for driving without driving licence, according to a press release of the STA.
The STA launched the drive as helmetless driving has been found to be a major cause of road accidents and grievous injury across the state.
Lalmohan Sethi, Additional Commissioner Transport, Enforcement & Road Safety said, “The main aim of the drive was to create a sense of responsibility among the road users for prevention of road accidents and fatalities. It has been observed that out of the accidents taking place on NH/SH, many are related to two-wheeler riders. Due to continuous enforcement activities, people are using helmets in the urban areas but are unfortunately avoiding wearing helmets on highways where protection is much more needed.”
As many as 1308 persons, including riders (868) and pillion riders (440) of motorised two-wheelers, were killed in road accidents in 2021. Most of them were not wearing helmet. A total of 1280 persons were grievously injured and 747 had minor injuries in accidents involving two-wheelers.
Sethi further said the frequency of enforcement drives will be increased in September. “In view of upcoming puja and winter season, September is declared as month of enforcement. There will be zero tolerance for violation of traffic and Motor Vehicle rules. Enforcement drives will include drunken driving, helmet checking, and vehicle fitness including school buses and overloading of vehicles. The drives will take place at regular interval throughout the month.”
