Police officials here have stressed on using helmets compulsorily to prevent motorcycle accidents and reduce deaths on the roads and highways.

They said this at an awareness raising programme titled ‘No helmet, no petrol’ held at Shothibari area by the side of the Rangpur-Dhaka highway in Mithapukur upazila on Monday to encourage motorcycle drivers wearing helmets and abiding by traffic rules.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Mizanur Rahman addressed the function as the chief guest while the programme was moderated by Additional SP Abu Maruf Hossain.

Additional SP (A Circle) Saifur Rahman Saif, Additional Superintendent of Police (B Circle) Maruf Ahmed, Additional Superintendent of Police (C Circle) Utpal Kumar Roy, Assistant Superintendent of Police (Rangpur Sadar) Arman Hossain, Officer-in-Charge of Mithapukur Thana Jafar Ali, District Traffic In-Charge Khan Md. Mizanur Fahami and Traffic Sergeant Feroz Ahmed, addressed, among others.

On the occasion, SP Mizanur Rahman distributed awareness raising leaflets among drivers of vehicles plying on the highway there and greeted helmet-wearing motorcycle drivers with flowers and chocolates.

The SP said, “It is more important to save life by wearing helmets. But

unfortunately, we see some of the motorcycle drivers who do not use helmets.”

He said most of the casualties of motorcycle riders occurred due to

head injuries for not wearing helmets on their heads or heads of their companions. Wearing helmet will significantly reduce the risk as well as number of deaths on the roads and highways,” said Mizanur Rahman.

He said, “The ‘No helmet-no-petrol’ programme will continue till motorcycle drivers of the district get 100 percent compliance in using helmets.”

He said that none would be spared for violation of traffic rules in future.

He appreciated owners of fuel filling stations and petrol pumps of Rangpur district for not selling petrol to motorcycle riders with no helmets on heads.