With around 40% of deaths reported due to head injuries in Salem district in 2025-26, the Salem district administration has announced that it is mandatory for pillion riders to wear helmets.
The Salem City and District police are organising awareness programmes on the benefits of wearing helmets. The traffic police are also conducting vehicle checks in important junctions in the district, including New Bus Stand, Omalur Main Road, Five Roads, and Hasthampatti and collecting fines from those not wearing helmets.
Salem district Collector K. Elambahavath stated that in the 3,733 road accidents that were reported in 2025-26 in the districts, 12% of the accidents involved two-wheelers. Of the 465 people who died in the accidents, 186 died due to head injuries. The public should follow the road safety rules and it is mandatory for those riding two-wheelers, even for short distances, to wear helmets. The pillion riders, including women and children, should also wear helmets and lock the strap in the helmet properly, the Collector added.
In a move to create awareness among school and college students on road safety, seminars, rallies, and pledge-taking programmes will be conducted through the police and Transport Department officials. For those not wearing helmets, a fine of ₹1,000 will be levied and collected, the Collector added.
Published - July 11, 2026 07:26 pm IST