Protests mar implementation of helmet rule in Pune Cantonment

Certain politicians and activists in Pune are up in arms against a new helmet rule which is to be made mandatory for all two wheeler riders and pillion riders from 1st September 2012. Now what is wrong with the rule one might ask. Is not safety of citizens, reduction in number of fatal accidents involving two wheelers and implementation of certain rules and regulations a top priority. Why would anybody who values his own life not care about the lives of the citizens in one’s own city? Why protest against a fairly noble regulation?

Representatives of the Shiv Sena party are against this step taken to make helmets compulsory in Pune Cantonment. 300 activists headed by MLA Mahadeo Babar of Hadapsar constituency took to the streets in a mock funeral wherein helmets were placed on a stretcher and paraded through the streets of Pune. Their contention was that this rule should be scrapped as it was not feasible to only implement it in the cantonment area.

Should not our politicians take a page out of law and order? May be the task of setting traffic conditions in order in Pune will begin with this small step taken in Pune Cantonment area. Let us look at it from that perspective instead of blaming the cash strapped Government of making money in the form of fines from those riders who fail to use helmets.

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