Last min rush

Motorcyclists at a helmet retail shop near Thousand Lights on Thursday.A government-set deadline seems set to achieve what neurosurgeons' advice could not. Thousands of motorists stood in long queues in front of helmet retail stores in the city on Thursday in a last minute scramble to buy helmets.

From Friday, the city roads should, in theory, present a much safer proposition for two-wheeler riders and car passengers. The government, through separate orders, had announced that it would start enforcing two rules that long existed under the Motor Vehicles Act — two wheeler riders, including pillion riders, must compulsorily wear helmets; and front seat occupants of all cars manufactured after 1994 must compulsorily wear seat belts.

Failure to do so will attract penal provisions — Rs.100 for first-time offenders; Rs.300 for second-time offenders; and cancellation of licence for repeated offenders. The compulsory helmet rule comes into effect in Chennai and five other cities — Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruchi, Salem, Tirunelveli — tomorrow. It will come into effect in other parts of the state from next month.

There has been a heavy rush in helmet retail stores over the past week. Some stores were open till midnight to accommodate the rush. Enterprising operators have also been selling helmets on the pavements.Though there are several brands of helmets available for adults, residents have complained that there were not enough choices for children and women.According to the government order issued in February, there are over 15.2 lakh registered two-wheelers in the greater Chennai limits. The G.O. said two-wheeler riders were a vulnerable group and the compulsory helmet rule was for their safety.