Police dispel notion of 'no helmet needed during Puja'

Kolkata: There is a wrong notion among people that the police allow bikers to ride without helmets during the four days of Durga Puja.

So, in a bid to make people understand that the law against flouting any traffic norm is applicable for all the days in a year, Kolkata Police has taken up a campaign on social media.

It has been clearly stated in a Facebook post by Kolkata Traffic Police that "it is a completely wrong notion that it is not essential to wear helmets while riding two-wheelers during the Puja".

Ahead of the Puja, the police used an image of Goddess Durga to create awareness among people in this connection. In the image, Goddess Durga is seen with a helmet in her hand, urging people not to ride two-wheelers without the same.

At the same time, it has also been stated that no one should compromise with safety while riding bikes or driving other vehicles.

It may be mentioned that a large section of pandal-hoppers prefer to visit Pandals on motorbikes, considering it to be the best means of transport to move from one pandal to another.

According to a senior officer of Kolkata Traffic Police, riders of two-wheelers will be penalised if they are caught riding without wearing helmets.

Intensive measures have been taken for the past few years to prevent people from riding motorbikes without wearing helmets. Several

people were booked for the offence.

On-duty traffic sergeants will be keeping watch this year as well and will catch if anyone is found riding bikes without wearing helmets. Many people also ride bikes with two persons as pillion during the Puja. Steps will also be taken if anyone is found doing so.

It may be mentioned that with such steps taken by the police round the year, the number of road accidents has gone down.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had launched the Safe Drive Save Life campaign to make people aware about traffic safety norms.