Helmets to be made mandatory for pillion riders

Bengaluru: Helmets will be made mandatory for riders on two-wheelers including the pillion riders and minors who travel on bikes from mid October. The Transport Department has issued the draft notification calling for objections and suggestions from the public on September 18. “The department will scrutinize the objections and suggestions for a period of 30 days. We will later notify the government that will issue an order. The government order will be applicable throughout the state of Karnataka and the enforcement agencies will work towards implementation of the rule,” said Muniveera Gowda, Additional Commissioner, Enforcement (South) to Deccan Chronicle.

“The rule will come into effect anytime after October 18, and the traffic police department will be intimated immediately,” added Mr. Gowda. The government, keeping in mind, the number of road accidents in which the pillion rider loses his or her life due to head injuries, have decided to give a thumbs up to the implementation of the rule. There is no age specifications mentioned for the riders that travel on two-wheelers and hence whoever on the bike who will not wear a helmet will be penalized and this includes minor children too, Mr. Gowda said.