It was a ghastly accident that claimed the life of a teacher who tutors the physically challenged at a school in Periynaickenpalayam. A loss of life that could have been averted if he had worn his helmet strap tight and right in place.

D Mayilsamy, a special teacher of Sarva Siksha Abhyan (SSA), was travelling back home after school when the bike in which he was travelling was hit by a bus, he fell and injured his head as he had not strapped his helmet properly.

“People wear helmet just out of compulsion. The moment they see a police they wear the helmet and once they move past the cop, they remove it and place it front of their bikes, near the handle bar,” says Mr. Raj Kanna, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Traffic (West).

A fine of Rs.100 is no more a terrifying prospect for our citizens, shows the report from the Police Department. A review of the registered cases for not wearing helmets in the city since July 1, 2015, when helmet-wearing was made mandatory following an order from the Madras High Court, reveals that citizen wear helmets just to avoid the police.

“People wear helmets to save their back, not the head. The moment they see a police, they wear the helmet. Once they clear the road, the helmet is gone,” says Mr. Raj Kanna, Assistant Commissioner, Traffic (W). “The better remedy would be to increase the fine amount to Rs.1000 or more,” he said.

In spite of conducting various awareness programmes, people choose to remain careless.

According to the data provided by the police, there is a 10% decline in the number of deaths in two wheeler accidents in July and August. A total of 13,867 cases were registered for not wearing helmet in the west zone alone.

“We keep organizing different awareness programmes along with schools, institutions, and NGOs to stress upon safe driving. ‘Avar Varuvaya’, ‘Idhu Thaguma’ and bike rallies will continue to influence the youngsters and public,” added Mr. Raj Kanna.