It has been made mandatory for two-wheeler riders to wear helmets in this south Odisha city.
"The pillion riders too have to wear helmets," said Superintendent of Police (Berhampur) A K Singh on the side-lines of a function on road safety here.
Police sources said though an order was issued, making helmets compulsory for two-wheeler riders, a few months ago, it was yet to be enforced strictly.
The SP also flagged off a rally aimed at creating awareness among people on safe driving yesterday.
Police have decided to crack the whip on drunk drivers and intensify patrolling on the national highway to check accidents. A total of 93 people were killed and 265 injured in accidents last year. The death toll in 2012 and 2011 were 117 and 106 respectively, sources added.
Motor vehicle inspector (Berhampur) S K Dalai said pitiable condition of city roads had increased chances of fatal accidents, besides encroachments and rash driving.
"We conduct regular checks for overloading and fitness of vehicles. But the pot-holes are the main culprits," he said.
