LUCKNOW – The Uttar Pradesh government will launch a special road safety campaign, ‘No Helmet, No Fuel,’ from September 1 to 30. The initiative aims to enforce helmet use among two-wheeler riders and will operate under the leadership of District Magistrates and the coordination of the District Road Safety Committee (DRSC).
The campaign’s primary goal is not to penalize but to encourage safer behavior. It will be a collaborative effort between the police, district administration, and the transport department. The government has urged citizens to cooperate fully with these enforcement agencies.
A Pro-People Initiative for Public Safety
The government stressed that the campaign is entirely lawful and in the public’s best interest. Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, makes helmets mandatory for both riders and pillion riders, while Section 194D outlines penalties for non-compliance. The Supreme Court’s Road Safety Committee has also advised states to prioritize helmet enforcement. The campaign’s slogan, “Helmet first, fuel later,” is meant to motivate people to adopt safe habits.
Multi-Departmental Effort
According to Brajesh Narayan Singh, the Transport Commissioner of Uttar Pradesh, past experiences show that two-wheeler riders quickly get used to wearing helmets, and the initiative does not adversely affect fuel sales. Oil marketing companies—IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL—and all petrol pump operators have been asked to actively support the campaign. The Food and Civil Supplies Department will monitor compliance at petrol pumps, and the Information and Public Relations department will work on public awareness.
Singh stated that the ‘No Helmet, No Fuel’ campaign is “a pledge of safety, not a punishment.” He concluded by calling on all citizens, petrol pump operators, and oil companies to support the effort, emphasizing that wearing a helmet is the “simplest life insurance.”
