IANS/New Delhi

In just 35 days, close to 60,000 women two-wheeler and pillion riders in New Delhi have been issued traffic tickets for not wearing helmets, police data reveals. Sustained efforts by the police and general awareness have slowly brought the numbers down.

An amendment to the Delhi Motor Vehicle Rules has made it mandatory for women to wear helmets while riding two-wheelers.

According to the Delhi transport department, 576 people riding two-wheelers died on the roads of the capital in 2012. The amendment was made to bring the figure down.

Following the amendment, the Delhi police’s traffic department launched a drive on September 10 and violators all over the city were prosecuted. Sikh women have been exempted from this rule on religious grounds.

A total of 58,826 tickets were issued between September 10 and October 14 to women bikers and scooter riders and pillion riders not wearing helmets.

The maximum fines were issued from the western range (19,343) followed by the southern range (14,159), central range (11,401), northern range (11,079) and the eastern range (2,844).

According to Joint Commissioner of Police Anil Shukla, sustained efforts by the police to fine the violators and a campaign to spread awareness about the safety of wearing helmets have gradually brought about a change in the attitude of people.

“More and more people are now complying with the rule and there has been a dip in the number of tickets being issued daily compared to the initial days when the drive was launched,” Shukla said.

Another officer said people should realise that the helmets are for their own safety and they should follow this rule like they did with seats belts in car.

“The women must understand that the rule is for their own safety. Head is one of the most sensitive body parts and helmets do save lives,” another officer said.

He said that around 4,000 people were being fined every day when the drive was launched.

“I would like to believe that people are realising the importance of helmets but even if they don’t they know that they can’t escape being fined so they have no other choice,” said the officer.

The fact that the police no longer depute special teams to catch the offenders is proof of the increasing compliance with the rule, the officer added.

Under the rule, helmets should either be full or open face and must conform to ISI standards, failing which the violator is liable to pay a Rs100 fine.