Pakistan hosts middle-class families in large which are surviving through thick and thin. Last month Islamabad Traffic Police implemented a new law which states that not only biker who is driving the bike but also the pillion would hear a helmet. And if the pillion is not wearing a helmet Rs.100 fine would be issued at the spot to both the rider and pillion. After the law implemented there were small protests in the city as most people who are riding the bikes hail from middle-class families and earn only enough to survive the month, they argued how we can buy a helmet which is worth around Rs.1500.
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People from middle-class families use bikes to travel from one place to another for work and regular use, and now with the implementation of the new law, a sense of anger and desperation have been building among the locals.
From the day first when the law was implemented the traffic police fined many people and according to local media outlets after 15 days of the law, the police fined 15,167—meaning the police have collected Rs.1, 516,700 in fifteen days. Before writing this article, I talked to a local middle-class biker who lives in Islamabad and asked him what he had to say on this matter.
He said that it is difficult for us to abide by the law as we have to travel with our families which comprise of babies, ladies, and adults, how we can buy three to four helmets. The government should look into this matter, he further said.
Police, on the other hand, is saying that the law has been made for the safety of People. It would be worth mentioning here that also conducted awareness campaign regarding the importance of wearing a helmet. And also distributed 300 helmets among the general masses as well. Moreover, Islamabad Traffic Police has also requested the administration to direct showrooms to give two helmets whoever purchase a motorbike.
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The request made by Police to facilitate new bike buyers is indeed great, but what about the ones who are currently riding bikes in the city. Most of them cannot buy three or four helmets for their family, police and the administration should come up with a strategy to help the riders.
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