The dangerous practice of holding umbrellas open while riding two-wheelers is yet to be taken seriously by riders despite repeated checking and warning by the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) in Kozhikode.
Officers with the road safety enforcement squads reveal that women and children are the majority who ride pillion and fall victims to accidents.
“There has been a special instruction from the State Transport Commissioner to carry out intensive checking against this dangerous practice and make riders aware of its consequences. Since many have been found repeating the offence, we have started imposing a fine,” said an Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector now part of the checking squad. He said those riding pillion with their umbrellas open were also found creating safety hazards for others on the road.
