Helmet offences lead Vizag’s traffic offence list

Visakhapatnam: Helmet violations continue to dominate Vizag's traffic offence list, though cases have dropped by over 30 per cent in the past year. Police say many riders wear helmets only superficially—dangling them from handlebars, leaving them unbuckled, or using them halfway—merely to avoid fines rather than for safety.In 2024, over 5.03 lakh riders were fined for not wearing helmets in Vizag city, while in 2025 the figure stood at 3.13 lakh. Although helmets have been made mandatory for pillion riders, enforcement drives are yet to be fully intensified.On average, the traffic police used to book at least 700 to 900 cases against the two-wheeler riders for not wearing the helmets in Vizag city. Ironically, most of the helmet violators are youngsters, said a senior traffic police inspector in Vizag city.Whenever we spot riders not wearing head-guards, we intercept them and educate them on the importance of wearing certified helmets. Half-helmets offer no real protection. Helmets safeguard the head. After educating them, we will impose a fine of Rs 1,035 for not wearing the head-guard, the police officer added. Even some delivery partners are often seen riding without helmets, so awareness efforts are carried out daily, he further added. Doctors say that riders without proper head-guards suffer far more severe traumatic brain injuries, skull and facial fractures. A certified well fitted and correctly buckled helmet significantly reduces impact forces, fractures, and fatal brain injury, they added. Vizag city, despite leading the way in helmet usage among two-wheeler riders in Andhra Pradesh, saw around 60,000 motorists have their driving licences suspended for riding without helmets in 2025. As per the MV Act rules, every person should wear protective gear while driving or riding a pillion on a two-wheeler, and if any person is found riding a two-wheeler without a helmet, he or she is fined Rs 1,035. "In addition to the penalty, we have been collecting the driving license details of violators and forwarding these details to RTA personnel, requesting suspension of the driving licences of those in violation," the traffic police added. With our continuous efforts, the number of helmet violations are slowly decreasing, they added.