Worried over the death of nine helmet-less motorcyclists in road accidents in the City last month, the traffic police say they will intensify efforts to make the riders compulsorily wear the head covering.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), M A Saleem, said the death of nine helmet-less riders had been taken “very seriously”.

Motorcycles constitute nearly 70 per cent of the 40-lakh vehicle population in Bangalore. And most victims of road accidents are either motorcyclists or pillion riders, Saleem said.

“It is in the interest of the motorcyclists that they should wear the helmet as it protects the head, the body part most prone to injury in a road mishap. Helmets can prevent as much as 95 percent of such injuries which often turn fatal,” Saleem explained.

“Motorcyclists should compulsorily wear the helmets out of their own will,” he said.