KOCHI
: With the
motor vehicles department
(
MVD
) making helmets mandatory for pillion riders, shops selling helmets witness large crowds. Shopkeepers in the city said that people have been flocking to the shops since Saturday to buy helmets. They say there is huge demand for helmets for kids above the age of four.
Remya Aravind, a homemaker, said, “Helmets for boys above the age of four are not available at most shops. Boys are not keen about wearing pink helmets. Black-coloured helmets are rare and are not available at city shops.”
Motorists say that while checking is not too intense within the city limits, police are closely monitoring outskirts of the city and long-distance travellers on the highways. “On the first day, police were seen imposing a penalty of Rs 500 for not wearing helmets. At some places, they let off motorists with
stern
warning,” said Rohith C R, a long-distance rider. He welcomed the move to make helmets mandatory for pillion riders. “In these days of rash and negligent driving, two-wheeler riders, particularly teenagers, should wear riding gears,” he added.
However, there many who expressed their reluctance to wear helmets. The main reason citied is the difficulty in carrying helmets after getting down from the vehicle. Those who are so far not been used to helmets are finding it difficult to handle it. “My wife was initially hesitant to wear one as carrying it along was an inconvenience. But, once she started wearing it, she found a new confidence to ride through the bad city roads and the maddening traffic,” said Muhammed Niyas K M, a city resident.
Some youngsters are against wearing helmets for short-distance travels. “Even though it is a matter of safety, the police will not spare us if we try to explain the situation,” said Jose Jacob, a BCom student.
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