Bengaluru, Jan 21 (DHNS): As many as 1,520 motorists who rode with pillion without helmet were penalised by the Bengaluru Traffic Police who started enforcing the new rule from Wednesday, on a low scale though.

After a week-long campaign on creating awareness about the new rule that makes helmet mandatory for pillion riders, the traffic police levied a fine of Rs 100 each against the violators.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), M A Saleem, told Deccan Herald that all most all police stations received an average number of violations, which in total touched 1,520. “We want people to voluntarily follow the rule and not by force,” he said, and added that the traffic police would be more strict on Thursday.

Acknowledging that there were more violators than the number of people who were booked on Wednesday, he said that only traffic police inspectors were directed to fine violators on Wednesday and not their subordinates.

Saleem felt that the rate of compliance was up by 60 per cent compared to that on January 12 when they had started the awareness campaign. “We are hoping to see better compliance,” he said, adding that the staff from the Transport Department assisted the traffic police on Wednesday.

A traffic inspector in Bengaluru South said some people claimed they were not aware of the rule. A high percentage of motorists were hoping that the grace period would be extended. Others claimed that they picked their colleagues up from work and some promised to buy a helmet soon.

Saleem said pillions below the age of 12 years are exempted. “We want to first ensure that all pillion riders wear helmet whether it is ISI marked helmets or not. They should understand that helmets are for their own good and not for the police,” he added.

In Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kodagu districts, the police have relaxed the rule till January 31.