UP govt proposes ‘no helmet, no fuel’ policy

Lucknow: In a bid to reduce road accidents and fatalities involving two-wheelers, the Uttar Pradesh Transport Department has proposed a stringent ‘no helmet, no fuel’ policy, set to be enforced across all cities in the state.

“Every day, we witness accidents that could have been avoided if helmets were worn,” said Transport Commissioner Brajesh Narain Singh, whose January 8 directive to fuel station operators mandates refusing fuel to two-wheeler riders not wearing helmets, including pillion riders.

The proposal follows Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s call for urgent road safety measures during a recent review. “Every year, road accidents claim 25,000 to 26,000 lives in Uttar Pradesh, many of whom are two-wheeler riders who neglected to wear helmets,” the Chief Minister had stated.

Raghuvar Dayal, who works at a petrol pump in Lucknow’s Indira Nagar, highlighted the challenges of implementation. “Whenever we deny fuel to riders without helmets, they argue with us or shout,” he said. “But it’s for their own safety, and the policy might help reduce accidents if enforced strictly.”

Commuters had mixed reactions. Abhishek Mishra, a college student, agreed with the move, calling it a “necessary step.” “People take road safety lightly. If this policy forces them to wear helmets, it is a good thing,” he said.

However, homemaker Priya Sharma felt it could inconvenience those in emergencies. “What if someone forgets their helmet during a short trip? Authorities should focus more on awareness than penalties,” she said. The directive emphasises educating fuel station operators about relevant laws, including the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and the Uttar Pradesh Motor Vehicles Rules, 1998. Petrol stations will be required to display prominent signage stating, “No Helmet, No Fuel.”

To ensure widespread awareness, Singh stressed the use of media campaigns. “Helmets are life-saving devices, not just legal obligations,” he said. “Social media platforms, newspapers, and TV must all promote this message to instil a culture of safety.”

Officials plan to coordinate with police and regional transport offices (RTOs) for effective implementation. Periodic reviews will also be conducted to monitor adherence. “Pump personnel must report habitual offenders to the authorities,” the directive noted.

A similar policy was introduced in Gautam Buddh Nagar in 2019 but saw only sporadic enforcement. This time, the government is determined to implement the rule uniformly across all 75 districts of the state. “Road safety should be a collective responsibility,” said Ramesh Yadav, a traffic constable. “We hope this policy makes riders more mindful and reduces fatalities significantly.”

The Transport department has urged the public to embrace helmets as essential protective gear. “This is not just about following rules; it’s about saving lives,” Singh concluded.