The city traffic police booked 2,023 people on day one of the helmet compliance rule for pillion riders till 6 pm on Monday. Moreover, 1,903 riders were also booked for not wearing a helmet.

The majority of the cases were booked in the east zone with 844 incidents, followed by south with 694 and 483 in the north zone.

Periamet traffic inspector C Chandramouli while speaking to DT Next said that almost 70 per cent of the pillion riders were surprisingly helmet compliant and only the remaining 30 per cent were booked. He added that there were no major confrontations, barring minor hiccups, as most motorists accepted the e-challans. “The message had reached the motorists through the media. Both motorists and pillion riders without helmet were fined Rs 100. Meanwhile, Washermenpet traffic police distributed sweets to motorists and pillion riders wearing helmets,” said the inspector.

However, the people dependent on bike taxis had a tough time booking a trip as bikes were not available due to the helmet-compliance rule. “Many riders cancelled the trip as they expected us to carry a helmet with us, “said Kumaraguru, a private firm employee from Periyar Nagar, who often takes a bike taxi to work.