LAHORE: City Traffic Police Lahore’s new policy for citizens to wear helmets has resulted in criticism from the people who are demanding the withdrawal of the order.

The traffic police has declared it mandatory for people to use helmets. This policy applies to bikers, pillion riders, and women and children.

The new rules are applicable from the start of November.

Many families live on both sides of The Mall and they frequently use motorcycles to buy things from the nearby markets but the City Traffic Police’ new policy has made it difficult for them to move without helmet.

Besides it, many factors involving the public safety including the broken footpaths, faded signs and reflectors as well as signal free corridors have completely been ignored. Even the motorcyclists have not been provided separate lanes for their bikes on the city roads.

With the new policy of the city government, the helmet prices have gone high and out of peoples’ reach. A normal helmet is priced at Rs1,600 to Rs1,800 while a quality helmet is for Rs2,500 to Rs3,000 in the market.

Many vendors, who have jacked up prices due to increased demand for helmets, have been seen on the city roads selling helmets to commuters.