Helmet sales spike after Vellore traffic police begin strict enforcement of rules

MOTORCYCLE helmet sales in the city has witnessed an unforeseen spike in the last few days, a direct consequence of the Vellore traffic police strictly enforcing the helmet rules since the beginning of the month and imposing a penalty of ₹1,000 on motorists riding without helmets.

- DHEEPTHI O J @Vellore

Helmet shops have begun prominently advertising their businesses, with the police saying at least 20 new shops have sprung up across the city to cater to the demand.

In front of one such shop on Thottapalayam Road, the owners have set up a separate stall for helmets outside their premises. With increase in footfall, there's no space inside, said staff member J Nirmala, adding the stall helps with more visibility. "Around 50 helmets are sold daily from the stall, with more sales happening inside. A lot of people are buying [helmets] to avoid the penalty," she added.