IMPHAL | May 28: Petrol pumps of the state started implementing ‘No helmet, no petrol’ system from today following an order passed by the state government on May 24.
The rule was implemented for safety of two wheeler users, as wearing helmet reduces the chances of getting serious head injuries during a crash.
Though the safety rule is implemented, many two wheeler riders who do not use helmet were seen filling petrol in the petrol pumps, as there was no proper measure taken up by the authority concerned.
According to studies by experts, the risk of getting a head injured during crash is 4.35 times higher when helmet is not used.
Speaking to the Imphal Free Press, Kusum Service Station manager, Thangjam Tomba said that such rule will be more effective if it is followed strictly in all the petrol outlets of the state.
In the state out of 100 two wheeler users only 20 use helmet so mass awareness is needed to let the public know about their safety during accident if they use helmet, he added.
“Many people without helmet mostly the locals try to fill petrol using force and threats, during which we face problems,” said Tomba.
Pointing out that since the new rule is for the safety of the public, he appealed to the public to wear helmet while riding two wheelers.
Imphal West Traffic Police DSP, Rattana Ngasepam told IFP over the phone that they are planning to set up a monitoring cell with the help of the district police to make the ‘No helmet, no petrol’ rule more effective.
If a customer without helmet tries to fill petrol using force, the respective petrol pump can complain to the police with photo proof so that action can be taken for violating the rule, she added.
Rattana continued that such rule was recently imposed by the government to discourage the people riding two wheelers without helmet, mostly for the safety as uses of helmet reduces the chances of dead during a crash.
The DSP further added that the traffic police department along with the transport department is also working hard to keep proper parking place in greater Imphal areas.
Source: Imphal Free Press