Riders accounted for the most number of deaths in road accidents. (Representational)
Puducherry has made it a must for motorcyclists to wear crash helmets and car drivers to fasten seat-belts from February 11, territorial Director General of Police S Sundari Nanda said on Friday.
Speaking to reporters, she said those riding two-wheelers without wearing helmets would be fined Rs 100 and repeat offenders would face stringent action.
The DGP said traffic police had been conducting an awareness campaign among two-wheeler riders, and school and college-goers the need to use the helmets for safety for nearly six months now.
She said the riders accounted for the most number of deaths in road accidents in the last three months.
The police official said 322 two-wheeler riders out of the total fatalities of 648 in road accidents were killed in the last three months for they were found riding without helmets.
She said those driving cars should use seat belts for safety.
The DGP said attempts were made some years ago to make helmet-wearing compulsory but there was resistance from some quarters and the government gave up the enforcement of the rule.