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Riding a bike without helmet? Bihar cop finds a unique idea to not fine you
- Only imposing hefty fines will not ensure that people are careful the next time, says a traffic cop in Bihar's Motihari
- Absconders are made to purchase good quality helmets and get their insurance renewed
Under the new Motor Vehicles Act, amendments to which came into effect from this month, if you are caught riding a bike without a helmet you might be fined ₹1,000 along with a three-month disqualification from driving license. Things have, however, taken a new turn in Bihar's Motihari town where the traffic police is actually letting off people for riding without helmet or lapsed vehicle insurance without asking them to pay for hefty fines under the new traffic rules.
But not without teaching the offenders a lesson and making sure their mistake is corrected, right on the spot itself. If you are caught sans helmet or lapsed insurance papers at police checkpoints, you will be directed to vendors selling helmets and insurance policies nearby.
"I roped in some helmet sellers and insurance agents who have set up stalls beside the checking points. Riders are not being fined as that makes them feel like they are offenders. Instead, they are made to purchase good quality helmets and get their insurance renewed," station SHO Mukesh Chandra Kunwar was quoted as saying by PTI.
The officer said he has also requested the District Transport Officer to depute an official who could issue learner's licence on the spot to offenders riding without it. Kunwar said the unique method came to his mind after coming to the conclusion that only imposing hefty fines will not ensure that people are careful the next time.
The cop said he is also trying to build trust with people who think that the amended Motor Vehicles Act gives a free hand to traffic police to act as extortionists.
However, Kunwar said that all offences can't be let off with goodwill gestures.
"If a person is found driving rash or under the influence of alcohol -- sale and consumption of which is banned in Bihar -- then we are left with no option but to take action according to the law," he said.
(PTI inputs)
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First Published:10 Sep 2019, 01:31 PM IST
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