Visakhapatnam Traffic: Helmet Violations Decline But Superficial Compliance Persists
In Visakhapatnam, helmet violations continue to dominate the city's traffic offence list, although cases have dropped by over 30 percent in the past year. Police authorities report that many two-wheeler riders wear helmets only superficially—dangling them from handlebars, leaving them unbuckled, or using them halfway—merely to avoid fines rather than for genuine safety concerns.
Sharp Decline in Helmet Violation Cases
In 2024, over 5.03 lakh riders were fined for not wearing helmets in Vizag city, while in 2025 the figure stood at 3.13 lakh. This significant reduction highlights a positive trend, yet enforcement drives have not been fully intensified, especially regarding pillion riders for whom helmets are also mandatory.
On average, the traffic police used to book at least 700 to 900 cases daily against two-wheeler riders for not wearing helmets in Vizag city. Ironically, most of the helmet violators are youngsters, according to a senior traffic police inspector in the city.
Police Efforts and Public Awareness
Whenever officers spot riders not wearing head-guards, they intercept them and educate them on the importance of wearing certified helmets. Half-helmets offer no real protection. Helmets safeguard the head, the police officer emphasized. After educating them, a fine of Rs 1,035 is imposed for not wearing the head-guard.
The officer further added that even some delivery partners are often seen riding without helmets, so awareness efforts are carried out daily to address this issue.
Medical Implications and Safety Concerns
Doctors warn that riders without proper head-guards suffer far more severe traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures, and facial fractures. A certified, well-fitted, and correctly buckled helmet significantly reduces impact forces, fractures, and fatal brain injury, they stress.
License Suspensions and Legal Framework
Vizag city, despite leading the way in helmet usage among two-wheeler riders in Andhra Pradesh, saw around 60,000 motorists have their driving licences suspended for riding without helmets in 2025. As per the Motor Vehicles Act rules, every person should wear protective gear while driving or riding pillion on a two-wheeler.
If any person is found riding a two-wheeler without a helmet, he or she is fined Rs 1,035. In addition to the penalty, we have been collecting the driving license details of violators and forwarding these details to RTA personnel, requesting suspension of the driving licences of those in violation, the traffic police added.
With continuous efforts, the number of helmet violations is slowly decreasing, they noted, underscoring the ongoing challenge of ensuring genuine compliance for road safety.
