Uttar Pradesh Launches ‘No Helmet No Fuel’ Policy
Uttar Pradesh has introduced a ‘No Helmet, No Fuel’ policy, requiring two-wheeler riders to wear helmets to receive fuel at petrol stations, aiming to reduce road accidents and fatalities.
The Uttar Pradesh Transport Department has proposed a new policy aimed at reducing road accidents and fatalities, particularly among two-wheeler riders. The “No Helmet, No Fuel” rule will make it mandatory for two-wheeler riders, including the pillion, to wear helmets in order to receive fuel at petrol stations across all cities in UP.
The policy was announced in an official letter issued by Transport Commissioner Brajesh Narain Singh on 8th January 2025. Singh has instructed fuel station operators not to sell fuel to two-wheeler riders who are not wearing helmets. The order has also been communicated to district magistrates and divisional commissioners in all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Singh highlighted the importance of this rule, pointing to statistics showing that a large number of two-wheeler accident victims do not wear helmets. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also raised concerns about road safety, noting that around 25,000 to 26,000 people die in road accidents in the state each year, with the majority of these deaths involving riders who were not wearing helmets.
In 2022, Uttar Pradesh recorded 36,875 road accidents, resulting in 21,696 injuries and 24,109 deaths. Most of these fatalities were among two-wheeler riders.
This is not the first time the “No Helmet, No Fuel” policy has been proposed in Uttar Pradesh. It was first introduced in Gautam Buddh Nagar district in 2019, but it was not enforced consistently. This time, the Transport Commissioner has ordered strict implementation across all districts and outlined several steps to ensure its success.
Key measures to ensure effective enforcement include:
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Fuel station operators will be educated about the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and Uttar Pradesh Motor Vehicles Rules, 1998.
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Operators must coordinate with local police and Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) and report repeated offenders.
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Petrol pump owners must display "No Helmet, No Fuel" signs at their stations within 7 working days.
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CCTV cameras will be installed at petrol stations for better monitoring.
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The policy will be promoted through local media, public notices, and social media awareness campaigns to encourage helmet use.
Lucknow has already begun preparing to implement this policy. The city's District Magistrate has ordered that the “No Helmet, No Fuel” rule be enforced in Lucknow starting from 26th January 2025.
The government hopes this policy will significantly reduce accidents and deaths by encouraging more riders to wear helmets, making road safety a priority for everyone.
