Traffic rules will become stricter in Lucknow with a new rule putting restrictions on fuel if riders are seen without helmets. In a recent direction, the Lucknow district administration has ordered all petrol pumps in the city to decline fuel to two-wheelers without helmets from January 26.

The orders clearly direct the petrol pumps in the Uttar Pradesh’s capital to strictly enforce the “No Helmet, No Fuel” policy made by the UP government to lower death rates caused in accidents by two-wheelers. The policy also includes pillion riders without helmets.

Lucknow district magistrate (DM) Surya Pal Gangwar issued an order asking to implement the policy, on Monday. The order read, "The move aligns with the Uttar Pradesh Transport Commissioner's directive issued on January 8. It is imperative to raise awareness about road safety and address deaths caused due to the non-use of helmets.”

It further stated, “It will be mandatory for two-wheeler riders and passengers to wear protective headgear conforming to BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) as per Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and Rule 201 of the Uttar Pradesh Motor Vehicles Rules, 1998.” The directive made it mandatory for the petrol pumps to put signboards directing the new policy at their work area in the next seven days. According to the directives, CCTV should also be installed at the station premises to avoid disputes arising from the new policy.

Brajesh Narain Singh, the transport commissioner for Uttar Pradesh, presented data showing that many two-wheeler fatalities include passengers and riders who are not wearing helmets. According to central government statistics, the state officially recorded 36,875 traffic incidents in 2022, resulting in 24,109 fatalities and 21,696 injuries.

Source : DNA India