SHILLONG, Nov 27: Merely three days away from its implementation, but Shillongites do not seem to be averse to the rule of wearing helmets as pillion riders after all with many welcoming the Shillong Traffic Police’s (STP) move.
The new rule will be enforced starting December 1 while any violation will entail booking under Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act, 2019.
Milly Sangma, a female scooterist, welcomed the move and said, “Safety starts with awareness, awareness starts with you”.
Stating that safety gears will keep everyone out of harm’s way, she exhorted one and all to conform to the new rules.
Another from Madanrting, Andy Kharkongor, said it was wise on the part of police to take such a decision.
Stating that the new rule should have been implemented long ago, he rued that riders are always protected but the pillion riders have nothing to safeguard themselves.
Another scooty rider, Vishaka Joshi, said the decision might result in reduction of fatalities due to road mishaps.
“The recent decision to necessitate the wearing of helmets by pillion riders, in my opinion, was of the essence. The chances of brain injuries and deaths will shrink as starting December 1, pillion riders will be protected,” she said.
“I have always liked the fact that helmets are made mandatory for both riders and pillion riders inside the Army campuses here,” she said.
Following the announcement by the STP, shopkeepers selling two-wheeler accessories in Keating Road have said that sales of helmet have seen a slight increase.
Calling the move judicious, Jenny Jyrwa, who mostly rides as a pillion, said the decision will ensure her and her family’s protection.
Dalyn Iawsai, a lawyer by profession, said it is a great initiative for the safety of a pillion rider, while suggesting that everyone should cooperate with the directives for their own safety.
In the city, quite a few pillion riders have already started wearing helmets, which bears witness to cooperation from people.
Bhakupar L Nongbsap, too, hailed the decision and asked, “Why do we have to wait for the authority to make it mandatory? Isn’t it our responsibility to keep ourselves safe?”
Another rider, Darikererlang Kharkongor, too, maintained that if the rule was implemented long ago, it would have saved many lives.