Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Jan 8: As part of a major data-driven traffic review, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) Kashmir has revealed that at least 1,257 two-wheeler riders across Jammu and Kashmir have been booked for repeated offences of not wearing helmets.
Officials said that over 1,000 of these violators were reported from the Kashmir division alone, highlighting a rising trend of non-compliance with road safety rules despite repeated awareness drives and enforcement measures.
According to official data, the RTO Kashmir jurisdiction Srinagar, accounts for 1,051 such vehicles, making it the region with the highest number of repeated traffic violations related to helmet use.
The data says, Budgam recorded 52, Jammu 54, Baramulla 19, Pulwama 17 and Samba 19. Smaller numbers were reported from other districts including Anantnag, Kupwara, Ganderbal and Bandipora.
The figures emerge from a notice issued by the RTO Kashmir on Thursday, directing all two-wheeler owners in the Valley to clear their pending challans within seven days or face strict legal action under the Motor Vehicles Act, including suspension of registration certificates, driving licences and vehicle seizure.
“It has come to the notice of the undersigned that several two-wheeler vehicles registered in the districts falling under Kashmir Division are being plied on public roads in violation of the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, particularly by riders and pillion riders not wearing helmets,” the notice reads.
The data further shows that Srinagar city leads the list of repeat offenders, with several riders recorded five to eight times for not wearing helmets.
Officials said the trend indicates a growing disregard for road safety norms despite repeated awareness drives. “The data reflects not just non-compliance but habitual violation, particularly in urban zones,” an official said.
The RTO office has also warned that failure to clear challans within the stipulated period will invite immediate enforcement measures “without any further notice.” (KNO)
