Mangaluru: As schools resume across the district, traffic police have intensified efforts to promote helmet use among children travelling on two-wheelers, reminding parents that safety regulations are mandatory and not optional.

To spread awareness, police personnel have been visiting schools during morning hours and interacting with parents dropping off their children. The campaign aims to educate families about the legal requirement that children above four years of age must wear helmets while riding on two-wheelers.

Officials said many parents take precautions for their own safety by wearing helmets but often overlook the protection of their children. Traffic police warned that children are particularly vulnerable to serious head injuries during accidents, regardless of whether they are seated in front of or behind the rider. They stressed that even short journeys to nearby schools can turn dangerous if proper safety measures are ignored.

According to police, helmet use should be viewed as a life-saving precaution rather than merely a legal obligation aimed at avoiding fines. They urged parents to set an example and cultivate responsible road safety habits among children from an early age.

Authorities also highlighted safety guidelines for children below four years of age. While helmets are not mandatory for this age group, the use of child safety belts to securely attach the child to the rider or pillion rider is strongly recommended. Police noted that such measures can significantly reduce the risk of a child falling during travel and are also in line with court directives.

Despite several awareness campaigns conducted near schools in recent months, compliance remains a concern. Police observations indicate that a large number of schoolchildren, especially those in primary classes, continue to travel without helmets. The situation is particularly worrying in rural areas, where many adults themselves are often seen riding without protective headgear.

Officials said awareness efforts will now be expanded beyond urban centres to ensure that parents in rural regions are equally informed about child safety regulations.

Police reiterated that helmets worn by children must be of the correct size and properly fitted to provide effective protection. Violations of the rules can attract penalties ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000, while repeated offences may also lead to suspension of driving licences.

Emphasising that accidents can occur at any time and place, police appealed to parents not to treat short-distance travel as an exception to safety norms and to ensure that every child is adequately protected before getting on a two-wheeler.