According to an order issued by the DM, petrol pumps across Lucknow have been directed to refuse fuel to riders without helmets and large passengers from January 26. “This initiative is in line with the directive issued by the Uttar Pradesh Transport Commissioner on January 8. It is important to create awareness about road safety and tackle deaths due to non-use of helmets,” Gangwar said.
Under the directive, petrol pump operators have been given a seven-day timeline to put up large signboards highlighting the new policy on their premises. “It will be mandatory for two-wheeler riders and passengers to wear protective headgear as per Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and Rule 201 of the Uttar Pradesh Motor Vehicles Rules, 1998,” the DM added.
Violation will be punishable under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act. To prevent disputes, operators should also ensure fully functional CCTV cameras at petrol stations to monitor and resolve disputes.
The directive reinforces the state’s earlier announcement to implement a statewide “no helmet, no fuel” policy to reduce the growing number of road accidents. According to statistics quoted by UP Transport Commissioner Brijesh Narayan Singh, a large proportion of two-wheeler deaths are caused by helmetless riders.
The campaign, which aims to promote helmets as essential life-saving equipment, aims to promote a culture of responsible behavior on the road.
According to central government data, Uttar Pradesh officially recorded 36,875 road accidents in 2022, in which 21,696 people were injured while 24,109 people lost their lives.
In 2022, Lucknow recorded 1,408 incidents of accidents in which 994 people were injured and 643 were killed, official data showed.