Ahmedabad: In just two weeks, Ahmedabad City police have collected over Rs 2 crore in fines from 44,204 two-wheeler riders caught without helmets, according to data from the Ahmedabad traffic department. This enforcement effort follows a Gujarat High Court directive issued last month to crack down on traffic violations, including riding without helmets.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) NN Chaudhary reported that between August 20 and September 6, 44,204 cases of helmet violations were registered, resulting in fines totaling Rs 2,20,87,100.
The Ahmedabad Traffic Police also provided data showing 422 accidents occurred in the city from January to August this year, with 97 fatalities among helmetless two-wheeler riders and 259 others sustaining serious injuries. Only one of the deceased was wearing a helmet.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Shailesh Modi, noted, “We usually focus on one specific issue at a time, like helmets, seat belts, or wrong-side driving. However, due to understaffing, it’s challenging to catch all offenders.”
Why Some Riders Avoid Wearing Helmets
The Indian Express spoke with some riders in Ahmedabad to understand their reluctance to wear helmets. Nandish Jasani, a 43-year-old from Vastrapur, cited discomfort due to high temperatures, saying, “Helmets can make riders feel hot and sweaty, especially in humid conditions. Many feel helmets are unnecessary for short trips, and repeatedly putting them on and off is inconvenient.” Kunal Oza, a 46-year-old from the Old City of Ahmedabad, simply said, “I don’t like wearing a helmet.” He added, “If the government is collecting taxes, the roads should be in good condition. There are many potholes, and authorities don’t seem concerned about safety in those areas.”
The Motor Vehicles Act (MV) 1988, amended in 2019, introduced stricter penalties for various traffic violations, including increased fines under 63 new clauses. However, the Gujarat government, led by then Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, reduced the helmet fine from Rs 1,000 to Rs 500, though this was still higher than the previous Rs 100 fine in Gujarat.
Under Section 129 of the amended act, anyone aged four and above must wear protective headgear while riding a motorcycle, including both the rider and the pillion passenger.