Date:29/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/29/stories/2008062950410100.htm

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Helmets compulsory in Puducherry

Staff Reporter

PUDUCHERRY: The territorial police have made wearing of helmets compulsory for two-wheeler riders from July 1, according to Superintendent of Police (Traffic) S. Kuppusamy.

“Director General of Police A.S. Khan has directed the traffic police department to make helmet wearing compulsory. He has given the order as per powers vested under section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988,” Mr. Kuppusamy told reporters here. Asked about the probable difficulty in procuring helmets at short notice, he said the department had, on several occasions, appealed to the public to buy helmets after they had mooted the proposal with the government to make helmet wearing mandatory a year ago. “Also, as per the MV Act every two-wheeler rider has to wear helmet,” he added

The proposal was still pending with the government, he said adding that they had decided to go ahead with the implementation as the Law Department had given its approval. Cases would be booked against those defying the order, he said.