Tamil Nadu:
From today, wearing a helmet is mandatory in Tamil Nadu while driving a two-wheeler. And if a court order does not galvanise people into acquiring some safety head gear, the traffic police hopes the sight of Yama, the lord of death, will.
So actors dressed as Yama - the costume includes a gigantic moustache and ornate crown - campaigned across Madurai yesterday with menacing messages like, "Don't give me a job. My job is easier if you don't wear helmets. If you wear a helmet, it's like a power cut for me."
The Madras High Court ruled on June 8 that all those who ride two-wheelers in the state Chennai must wear helmets from today, July 1.
Those caught driving without a helmet will have their licences impounded and these will only be returned when the defaulters produce a receipt for the purchase of a helmet.
And, the administration has warned, repeat offenders could lose their licenses.
41,000 people have died in two-wheeler related road accidents in the last 10 years in Tamil Nadu. But opinion on helmets is divided.
Vivek, 24, a young IT professional said, "Helmet reduces accidents. It's safe". And Chandra, 31, a young mother said she already wears one. "I've been wearing it for seven years for my own safety".
However, Viju, 40, an Engineer, said, "My hair style suffers. Also wearing helmets in Chennai's hot climate is difficult".
A college student Mani alleged that the police had stopped him for not wearing a helmet and demanded a bribe. "This would get worse," he said.
Helmet sellers, meanwhile, made a killing in the last few days in Chennai. Queues to buys helmets could be mistaken for those outside theaters on the release of a much awaited blockbuster film.
"They are selling a helmet worth 500 rupees for a thousand, said Lakhani, a businessman alleged.