Rules of the road will be equal for all in Ranchi from Monday onwards.
Policemen, often seen riding two-wheelers without helmets, will be fined for breaking this basic traffic norm in the capital.
The traffic department decided to penalise policemen after chief minister Raghubar Das recently said those in uniform caught riding bikes without helmets should not be accorded special treatment.
The same rule of fining helmet-less police personnel will be applicable throughout the state but in phases.
At a news meet on Sunday, Ranchi traffic SP Sanjay Ranjan Singh said that masses apart, the helmet drive from Monday would focus on police personnel and mediapersons.
"The drive is not meant just for policemen and journalists. Anyone caught without helmet will be fined. But, it has been seen that traffic policemen often ignore this basic rule," Singh said.
The traffic SP will personally monitor the drive.
Apart from penalising helmet-less bikers, the cops will also start breathalyser tests from Monday to check drunk driving. At present, Ranchi traffic police have five breathalysers and are in the process of procuring 35 more.
Under Section 129/177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, if a rider violates a rule relating to helmets, he has to pay a penalty of Rs 100. Under Section 185 of the Act, a fine of Rs 2,000 can be imposed on a driver for drunk driving. The driving licence of the offender can also be suspended for three months.
Police officers will also visit schools and colleges to encourage students to wear helmets for their safety.
In Bokaro, SP Y.S. Ramesh instructed his men to put on helmets. "We have been directed by the state police headquarters to ensure mandatory wearing of helmets by both the rider and the person sitting pillion. A drive against helmet-less riders will be carried out from September 26 across the district," Ramesh added.
East Singhbhum DSP (traffic) Vivekanand Thakur, however, said they had not received any circular asking police officers to wear helmets while riding two-wheelers. "We have heard about it but are yet to receive an official letter," said Thakur.
