Ujjain: Callousness on part of two-wheeler riders of the city not wearing helmets notwithstanding, the police has no option but to enforce the law, says SP MS Verma.
When he was asked that only men riders are being penalized and women riders are free to go he said no one has been targeted and penalising was a routine affair. Not wearing a helmet was like committing any other traffic offence, which had to be dealt with according to the law. He, however, stressed that sentiments of the people had to be kept in sight and respected since laws are framed for the benefit of the people. This issue should not be seen in isolation since the department had been creating awareness on the issue, he pointed out.
Verma said this aspect has also been commented upon by the High Court. Moreover, countless precious lives can be saved if people take it upon themselves to obey the law. Whether women should wear a helmet or not is a continuing battle, but it should be seen that whatever was being done was for everybody’s benefit and safety, he emphasised.
He said it was a healthy trend to see some college-going youths wearing helmets. Their number is on the rise and seeing this it was being felt that numerous awareness drives by the department have finally paid off. The department will print pamphlets citing accident figures and drive home the message that numerous lives could have been saved just by wearing a safety helmet. Reacting to the hue and cry raised by various organisations, the SP said further action, whether to intensify the penalising drive, depended on the objections raised by people and social and religious outfits.