Helmet rule flouted by over 70% of riders across AP
Alarmingly, over 98% of pillion riders — both urban and rural — failed to wear helmets last year.
Despite repeated awareness drives and clear mandates from the Committee on Road Safety and the government, helmet use remains sporadic among two-wheeler users across the state. This negligence contributed to 30–35% of road fatalities in Andhra Pradesh.
Within the Vizag police commissionerate limits alone, over five lakh helmet violations were reported in 2024.
Of the 8.72 lakh traffic infractions citywide, 57.6% — more than five lakh — were committed by riders traveling without helmets.
As per Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, both riders and pillion passengers must wear protective headgear conforming to BIS standards. However, a senior police official noted that widespread disregard for the law continues, placing many lives at risk. On average, the state sees six to eight road crash deaths daily due to non-use of helmets.
Ministry data shows 3,042 fatalities among two-wheeler users in 2022 — including 970 pillion riders — for not wearing headgear.
Most of the patients admitted to trauma centres across the state following road crashes were not wearing helmets at the time of the incident. This group comprises both two-wheeler drivers and pillion passengers who failed to wear helmets and consequently sustained serious injuries.
Authorities say only one to two percent of pillion riders in cities such as Vizag and Vijayawada wear helmets despite repeated appeals and warnings.
Officials expressed concern over the growing disregard for this vital safety practice.
Stringent enforcement and awareness campaigns have contributed to some drop in primary riders without helmets in Vizag. However, pillion riders seem to be ignoring their safety, which could prove fatal in case of road crashes. Despite the series of awareness campaigns, pillion riders continue to neglect this critical safety measure, said a senior police officer in Vizag.
GFX
Pillion riders top helmet violation chart
Section 129 of MV-Act says both rider and pillion rider on a two-wheeler must wear helmets, and failure to comply can result in a fine for the rider.
Vizag city police issued over nine lakh challans to two-wheeler riders for not wearing helmets in two years.
The enforcement officials book at least over 12 lakh cases in the state in a year for not wearing head-guard.
Helmetless pillion riders are just as vulnerable to head injuries in road crashes as the rider.
Parents to purchase helmets only for the rider, often neglect for the child
A BIS-certified helmets costs in between Rs1,500 and Rs5,000
The union government has mandated that all helmets show the ISI mark issued by the BIS
Nearly 900 to 1,000 pillion riders die in AP in road crashes for not wearing helmets
Police and RTA personnel plans to impose fines for pillions not wearing helmets
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
11 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Palghar school watchman held for allegedly sexually abusing two minor boys
Police have arrested a 53-year-old security guard of a private school in Maharashtra's Palghar district for allegedly sexually abusing two male students, officials said. The alleged incidents occurred between June 15 and 20, the officials said on Sunday (July 27, 2025). The victims, aged 17 and 15, are students of the same school located in Virar area. "The alleged incidents occurred in the canteen of the school," the Arnala police stated. The accused was arrested on Saturday (July 26, 2025)evening, the police added. "After receiving a complaint from the school's manager, we registered an FIR against the watchman, Raymond Wilson Dias, under section 75 (sexual harassment) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and sections 5, 8 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act," the Arnala police station official said. Sections 5 of the POCSO Act pertains to penetrative sexual assault. In August 2024, a male sweeper at a school in Badlapur in neighbouring Thane district allegedly sexually abused two four-year-old girls, causing a huge outrage and massive protests. The accused was killed in September last year in the 'retaliatory firing' by police after he allegedly snatched the gun from a policeman in a police vehicle.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Eknath Khadse's son-in-law arrested during drug party in Pune
Pune Police on Sunday arrested seven people, including Pranjal Khewalkar, son-in-law of senior NCP (SP) leader Eknath Khadse, after busting an alleged drug party at a studio apartment in an upmarket area of Kharadi. The raid was carried out around 3:40 am following a tip-off received by the Crime Branch. Blood samples of all seven accused have been sent for forensic analysis to determine whether they had consumed narcotics. (HT) According to police, the raid led to the seizure of 2.70 grams of a cocaine substance, 70 grams of ganja, 10 mobile phones, two cars, hookah sets, liquor bottles, and various party paraphernalia—all worth approximately ₹41.35 lakh, police said. Blood samples of all seven accused have been sent for forensic analysis to determine whether they had consumed narcotics. The accused include Khewalkar, a 41-year-old MD in medicine, and husband of NCP (SP) state unit chief of women wing, resident of Hadapsar; along with Nikhil Popatani, 35, involved in the cigarette business; Sameer Sayyad, 41, who works in hardware materials business; Sachin Bhombe, 42, a private employee; Shripad Yadav, 27, a contractor; and two young women identified as Isha Singh, 22, from Aundh, and Prachi Sharma, 23, from Mahalunge. Police said the arrested individuals knew each other and had been in contact through calls and messages. Preliminary findings suggest the group had attended a party at a well-known pub in the city before assembling at the rented studio apartment. Investigators confirmed that three rooms had been booked in the building from July 25 to July 28, each costing ₹10,357 per night. Around 45 minutes before the raid, all seven had gathered in the flat. Following the arrests, police searched Khewalkar's bungalow in Hadapsar, Sai Krupa, and seized laptops, CDs, and other items. Crime Branch officials revealed that Popatani and Yadav have criminal records. Popatani was booked in 2023 by Kondhwa police under IPC sections 420 and 34, and sections 66(c) and 66(d) of the IT Act, reportedly for online betting. Yadav was booked in 2022 by the Bund Garden police under the Maharashtra Prevention of Gambling Act. A Crime Branch officer said an earlier attempt to detain the group on Friday had failed. However, based on fresh information, they moved in on Saturday night and arrested the seven with drug-like substances. 'The police have registered a case under sections 8(c), 21(b), 22(b)(ii)(a), and 27 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and sections 7(2) and 20(2) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), at the Kharadi police station,' said deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Nikhil Pingale. Police said they are now trying to identify three more people reportedly seen at the apartment during the party,' said NCP (SP) leader Eknath Khadse, reacting to the arrest of his son-in-law, said he had not spoken to him and was aware of the incident only through media reports. 'If a fair investigation reveals it was a rave party and my son-in-law is guilty, I will not defend him. But the police must act impartially. The perception among people is that police can do anything, so let the truth come out through forensic and blood reports,' Khadse said. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said he had seen media reports but had not yet received an official briefing. 'Preliminary information suggests that a rave party was busted and some narcotics were found,' he said. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said the police were acting as per rules and anyone found guilty would face consequences. MP Supriya Sule also reacted to the case, saying her party stood behind Rohini Khadse, wife of the arrested Khewalkar. Sule expressed concern over the possibility of tampering with reports, especially in light of past incidents at Sassoon Hospital. 'We will ensure a full investigation takes place, but my concern remains with how evidence is handled,' she said. Officials said the investigation is ongoing, with police verifying the identities of others who may have attended the party and reviewing communications.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Pune studio suite drug bust: Cocaine, booze and political links in high-profile party circuit; how police caught Eknath Khadse's son-in-law, bizman, builder
Eknath Khadse (File Photo) PUNE: Former state minister Eknath Khadse's son-in-law Pranjal Khewalkar and six others, including two women, were arrested after a Pune police team claimed to have busted a house party early on Sunday in a Kharadi studio flat off Pune-Ahmednagar highway where cocaine, marijuana and hookah pots were used along with liquor consumption. Police later took Khewalkar, an MD (medicine) and the husband of Rohini Khadse, who heads the NCP (SP)'s state women's wing, and others to Sassoon hospital for medical tests and then to his bungalow in Hadapsar where searches were carried out as part of an investigation to trace the source of the drugs. "A laptop, three pen drives and a hard disk were among the articles seized from the bungalow," a police officer said. Khewalkar and the others were produced before judicial magistrate first class N S Bari who ordered their custodial remand until Tuesday. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune Police chief says his team acted on tip-off, seized cocaine & marijuana Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar told TOI, "Our crime branch team reached the flat following a tip and detained 7 individuals, including Khewalkar, who were found partying there. The team seized cocaine (2.5g), marijuana (70g), hookah flavours and liquor bottles." DCP (crime) Manoj Pingale said, "The seized drugs, hookah pots and flavours will be sent to forensic laboratory." Police identified the other individuals as Nikhil Poptani (35), a cigarette trader from Hadapsar, Sameer Sayyed (41), a hardware businessman from NIBM Road, Shripad Yadav (27), a builder from Akurdi, Sachin Bhombe (42) of Wagholi, Isha Singh (22) of Aundh and Prachi Sharma (23) of Mhalunge," Pingale said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Casa Maquista chefs explore turmeric's essence in Macanese cuisine. MGTO Undo He added that Khewalkar has a practice in Jalgaon and stays in Hadapsar. A case for offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) has been registered with the Kharadi police. Pingale said, "Khewalkar booked three suites in the studio apartment for three days between Friday and Sunday. He paid for them. Three other women were to arrive at the flat but walked away when the police action began. The men and the women know each other through a party circle. " Sassoon General Hospital's medical superintendent Dr Yallapa Jadhav said, "Two women and five men, were brought to the hospital's casualty on Sunday at 6.15am for medical examination and sample for alcohol and drugs consumption. Two had consumed alcohol according to the primary examination by the CMO. Blood and urine samples were collected from all and sealed and handed over to the police." On Sunday, when TOI visited the apartment, the staff members said the two four-storey buildings have 34 suites. The rooms are available from Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,500, inclusive of breakfast and dinner. " We rent rooms after taking photocopies of people's ID cards," a staffer said. In court, prosecutor Priyanka Vengurlekar submitted that police needed seven days of custody to investigate the source of the drugs and to ascertain if an organized gang was involved and if the accused have links to any inter-state drug network. "Two of the accused arrested are habitual offenders as they have cases registered against them in the past" she added. Khewalkar's lawyer Vijaysingh Thombare submitted that the arrest was politically motivated. "There were previous attempts by police in civil clothes to trap my client at two locations, and CCTV footage supports this claim," he said. Lawyer Abid Mulani, representing two other accused, submitted, "Police failed to provide the grounds of arrest to the accused at the time of detention in direct violation of Section 50 of the CrPC, which mandates that the arrested persons be informed of the grounds in such an arrest." Lawyer Sachin Zalte, appearing for Yadav, submitted that police have failed to mention in their arrest report the quantity of cocaine seized. The omission is crucial, as possession of less than two grams qualifies as a bailable offence. The court said the allegations of illegal arrest can be taken up in subsequent hearings.
