Riders without helmets urged to buy and wear one on the spot to avoid fines and improve highway safety
RAWALPINDI:
The National Highways and Motorway Police launched a campaign titled “Challan Nahi, Helmet” to promote safer travel on national highways.
Under the initiative, motorcyclists not wearing helmets are stopped and, before a fine is issued, are advised to buy and wear a helmet and commit to complying with the law in the future. Officials say the cost of a helmet is roughly equivalent to the amount of the fine. If the rider purchases and wears a helmet, no ticket is issued.
Alongside enforcing traffic laws, the campaign is expected to focus on public awareness. Motorcyclists found without helmets are given the opportunity to purchase one on the spot instead of being fined.
Motorway Police spokesperson Inspector Saqib Waheed said, “The purpose of the campaign is only to make motorcyclists and highways safer, so that, God forbid, in the event of an accident, the head can be protected from severe injury.”
Read: Fool-proof security planned for Ramazan 21
He added that if, after purchasing a helmet, a motorcyclist continues not to wear it, then strict legal action will be taken and a fine will be imposed.
A motorcyclist travelling on the Murree Expressway said he was stopped for not wearing a helmet. Instead of issuing a ticket, officers provided awareness and gave him the opportunity to buy and wear a helmet so that no fine would be issued. He said he paid for and purchased a good-quality helmet at a low price, adding that it should be worn at all times during travel. He also praised the motorway police for what he described as an excellent initiative.
Another rider, Aqib, said that, “It is a commendable step by the motorway police that instead of fining motorcyclists without helmets, they are encouraging them to wear helmets and providing quality helmets at very low prices. This campaign should not only be made successful but also further promoted.”
