GK IMPACT | ARTO Baramulla cracks whip on bikers travelling without helmets

Baramulla, June 25: The Assistant Regional Transport Officer Baramulla, Muazzam Ali, has started a rigorous campaign against the traffic violation across the district and blacklisted several vehicles and suspended driving license, route permit and registration certificate of several vehicles for violating traffic rules.

The move was initiated two days after Greater Kashmir carried a story reflecting the widespread neglect of traffic rules across the Baramulla district which often lead to road mishaps.

An official said that at least 14 motorcycles and 10 maxi cabs were e-challaned, besides two school buses and four motor cycles were blacklisted for violating the traffic norms. The driving license, route permit and registration certificate of 11 vehicles were also suspended. Five motor cycles were also seized during the crackdown on traffic violators.

The Assistant Regional Transport Officer, Muazzam Ali, said that the drive will be intensified in the coming days. He said, "It is mandatory for a two-wheeler rider and the pillion rider to wear a helmet under section 129/177 of the Motor Vehicle Act.”

The ARTO is also mulling organising a counselling programme to explain the importance of helmets for those applying for the driving licence of two-wheelers. An undertaking on the use of helmets while driving two-wheelers would be taken from the applicants.

“The drive against the traffic rule violation will continue. Those found violating the traffic rule will be dealt with as per law,” said ARTO Bramulla.

The Greater Kashmir on Saturday carried a story on a series of tragic motorcycle accidents across Baramulla district which consumed several lives. These road mishaps occurred due to the violation of traffic rule highlighting the dire need for stricter helmet usage among motorcyclists and pillion riders.

Rash driving and the widespread neglect of helmet use are considered as primary causes behind these fatal mishaps.