Helmet for pillion riders: 2,642 cases in Dakshina Kannada district, 715 in Udupi

MANGALURU: Monday marked day one of the compulsory helmet rule for pillion riders being enforced across Dakshina Kannada district and as many as 2,642 cases were booked in Mangaluru Commissionerate and Dakshina Kannada District Police limits. While of these 1,517 cases were in Mangaluru Commissionerate limits yielding a fine amount of Rs 1.5 lakh, in Dakshina Kannada District Police limits 1,125 two wheeler riders were fined and the total fine amount collected as Rs 1.13 lakh. The drive was conducted by both traffic police and DK District police were out in droves, imposing fines on those found flouting the rule. From about 10am police began conducting checks on major and arterial roads, intersections and happening places in the city such as lady Hill Circle, Lalbagh Junction, Hampanakatta, Kuntikana, Kadri, Bejai and other roads. Call it brashness, many pillion riders were out without helmets to test the waters. Once they saw the police on main roads, they started taking the bylanes where police presence was much. The cases would have been thrice had the police had enough strength. Only those who could be stopped were fined and rest escaped. While in Udupi, the first day of compulsory helmet rule for pillion riders received positive response in the district as 80 percent people preferred wearing helmet on Monday. Only 715 cases were booked of which 138 cases were registered in Manipal station limit and most the offenders were students. Superintendent of Police Annamalai said: About 80 % people preferred wearing helmet in Udupi district. After a week-long campaign on awareness about the new regulation, the traffic police fined Rs 100 for violations. Udupi sub division reported 305 case, Karkala 118 and Kundapura sub division registers 293 cases from morning 9 am to 5 pm. In Kundapur police distributed roses to riders and pillion riders for wearing helmets. The move was to encourage people respecting the rule.