NELLORE: Despite the helmet rule, there have not been many takers for the protective headgear. So is the case with seat belts as vehicle riders in the Municipal Corporation of Nellore continue to have an aversion to both of them.

If the current trend is any indication, more than 80 per cent of total vehicle riders in the corporation are still not complying with the helmet and seat belt rules strictly. And very few young people bother about not using mobile phones while driving.

`Not serious'

But many attribute this trend to the alleged indifferent attitude of both the Transport and Police Departments. "Had they been serious in enforcing the most important traffic norms as per the High Court order, the situation would have been different in the corporation. Even the increase of fines from Rs. 50 to Rs. 100 for helmet as well as seat belt rule violations and Rs. 200 to Rs 500 for using mobile phone while driving vehicle had very little impact on vehicle riders," says senior citizen N. Rajasekhara Reddy.

Echoing a similar opinion, an engineering student S. Subrahmanyam alleged that both the departments had failed to create awareness on helmet, seat belt and other important traffic rules. "They should not let off anyone, particularly college students, as helmet is a strict no-no for many of us for a variety of reasons," he said. However, Deputy Transport Commissioner A. Mohan claimed the Transport Department had created awareness on traffic norms and helmet rule under SAFAR programme. Besides, it had given ample time before enforcing them from April 1 in accordance with the High Court order.

Moreover, the Transport Department has asked the police not to impose excessive fines on vehicle riders. "If anyone is over fined, he or she can bring the grievance to the notice of the Transport Department either in person or by phone on 2327663 or 23268910," the DTC said.

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