The Karachi traffic police will start distributing helmets for free, for women as part of their ‘Friends of Traffic’ campaign.
The campaign will commence from the eighth of June, 2015
The campaign aims to take safety measures for pillion riders. According to a traffic police official, Muhammad Idrees, the campaign is dedicated to Karachi’s women.
“We will establish camps in all districts of Karachi,” Idrees said, adding that the camps will also try to educate people regarding the importance of helmet while riding motorcycles.
“Our traffic police constables will educate riders regarding the importance of helmets and if they catch them without one, the violators would have to pay a fine of Rs150,” he said.
The official further explained that the traffic police understand that it is not possible for people to buy helmets immediately; therefore, authorities will be distributing helmets for free among women.
On a question regarding the price hike of helmets, Idrees said that they have already asked helmet dealers not to sell on higher rates.
“It’s obvious that when the demand increases, the price increases. It’s not our responsibility to maintain the market rate.” he said. “However, we will write to the chief minister and the transport department to subsidise prices of helmets for the larger interest of the public.”
Regarding the fear of terrorism that could increase with this drive, Idrees said that are planning to have meetings with helmet manufacturers to revisit the design of helmets.
Also read: 3 day pillion riding ban imposed in Karachi…. Again
