As many as 52,007 women have been issued challans for not wearing helmets while riding two wheelers in the city from January 1,2023 to October 31,2023 . In comparison, the UT traffic police had issued 20,774 challans to women riders for not wearing headgears in 2022. All the challans were issued through CCTV cameras via online mode.
The police said it is mandatory for all two-wheeler riders to wear helmets, and only turbaned men and women are exempted from it.
The UT Police have been urging women riders to wear helmets while riding two-wheelers, and according to the new challan policy, there is a fine of INR 1,000 if the rule is violated.
On July 6,2018, the UT administration had amended an earlier notification of exempting all women from wearing helmets to exempt only turban wearing Sikh women. Later, the administration issued notification and exempted only Sikh women from wearing helmets, even if they did not wear a turban, in December 2018. Later, the UT police modified the notification and implemented Central Vehicle Rules and under this rule, Sikh women can be challaned for not wearing helmets while driving or riding on two wheeler, if they are not wearing a turban.
Generally, the traffic police issued challans to women through CCTV cameras, which were sent by mobile or by post.
“It is very rare that a woman was actually stopped for not wearing helmets. Most of the women drivers are also not aware that helmets for women riders is compulsory in the city and they came to know only when they get information of challans for not wearing a helmet,” said a source.
Nidhi Wadhawa ,a resident of Phase-3B2 , Mohali, said she has been coming to Sector 9 on a Honda Activa scooter for the last three years, but was never stopped by any cop for not wearing a helmet.
“However, now I shall check online if any ticket is pending,” she said.
Another woman, Priya Sharma , a resident of Sector 45 , Chandigarh, said she always wears a helmet while riding a two wheeler , but is not aware that a helmet is compulsory for women on two wheelers.
“Moreover, almost 90% women can be seen riding two wheelers without any headgear,” she said.
Out of fatal road crashes recorded in 2022, two-wheelers recorded the greatest proportion of fatality (48%), followed by pedestrians (28%) and cyclists (14%). 90% of all road traffic deaths were amongst two-wheelers, pedestrians and cyclists in 2022.
