Caught without helmet? Malkajgiri Traffic Police lets you borrow one

Hyderabad: Individuals caught riding two-wheelers without a helmet can now borrow a free helmet under a new initiative launched by the Malkajgiri Traffic Police on Monday, February 23, to raise awareness about the importance of wearing the protective headgear.

The “Helmet Bank” initiative was implemented at key junctions in Malkajgiri, including Sangeet Chowrasta, to shift the focus from merely imposing fines to prioritising avoiding accidents. Anyone found riding without a helmet can borrow one free of charge by providing basic identification details.

They are required to return it within 24 hours after purchasing one for themselves.

The objective is to ensure immediate compliance, protect the rider’s life, and encourage responsible riding behaviour instead of focusing only on punitive action,  Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic-I (Malkajgiri) K Rahul Reddy said.

“The initiative is meant to create a positive thought among bikers to use helmets as a safety measure, not out of fear of getting a traffic challan. We have started the Helmet Bank initiative to address the issue in a positive manner,” the DCP told reporters.

The initiative has been implemented at key traffic junctions across the Malkajgiri Zone, and is aimed at preventing head injuries, saving lives, building public trust through positive policing, and creating lasting behavioural change, an official release said.

This initiative also reinforces the ongoing “Arrive Alive” road safety campaign of Telangana Police, which emphasises that wearing a helmet is essential for every trip, irrespective of distance, it further said.

Malkajgiri Traffic Police appealed to all two-wheeler riders to wear helmets regularly and support the mission of safer roads.

Currently, a person can be fined Rs 200 for driving without a helmet, which applies to both the rider and the pillion passenger. The penalty under the Motor Vehicle Act can extend up to Rs 500.