The Odisha government on Friday issued a stern warning to the people of State not to violate the compulsory helmet-wearing guideline at all, or else face harsh penalties.
Taking to Twitter, the State Transport Authority (STA) used a click from south sensation Allu Arjun-starrer blockbuster Pushpa-The Rise to convey the message.
Putting a grab that features the Icon Star exuding a tough look on a motorcycle without a helmet, the STA issued the warning that no matter whether Pushpa or Pushparaj, anyone riding motorcycles must wear helmets at any cost or else be ready to pay challan.
“Pushpa Ho Yah Pushparaj, Bina Helmet Ka Challan Sabka Katega,” read the STA picture message.
According to Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019, riding without helmets by both rider and pillion rider with attract a penalty of Rs 1000 for first and also the subsequent violations apart from disqualification of license for up to 90 days.
The STA often tries innovative ways using catchy slogans like 'Mishap brings tears, safety brings cheers' and pictures to attract the attention of the public to religiously follow traffic rules to reduce the risk of loss of lives in road mishaps.
As per a recent report, Odisha's fatality rate (death per 100 accidents) is 48 compared to the national average of 36. Transport Minister Padmanabha Behera at the State level Road Safety Council meeting had informed that Odisha registered 4,738 road mishap deaths in 2020.
As per the statistics, over-speeding contributed to 69 per cent of the fatalities followed by 41 per cent due to violation of helmets while hit and run cases accounted for 20 per cent of the deaths.
Data shared by the NCRB and the State government suggest, every day 27 accidents are occurring in Odisha, killing an average of 13 commuters.