Helmet wearing mandatory for pillion riders in Odisha from today

Bhubaneswar: The traffic rule of mandatory helmet wearing for both riders and pillion riders will be implemented across the state from today.

Pillion riders will have to wear helmet while traveling on two-wheelers from today.

On December 5, State Transport Department (STA) had cautioned the people that driving license (DL) of a rider will be suspended if the pillion rider is caught without helmet.

The state Government had announced the stricter traffic rule under the New MV Act last year. Announcing this, Transport Minister Padmanabha Behera had said wearing of helmet will be mandatory for pillion riders from March 1, 2020.

The rule was supposed to be implemented after the completion of three-month relaxation period from March 2020. However, it could not be enforced due to COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdowns and shutdowns.