TN GO for compulsory helmet wearing on March 1

Chennai, Feb 19 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government today informed Madras High Court that it would issue government orders for implementation of compulsory wearing of helmets in the state on March 1, 2007.

This was stated by Deputy Secretary to Government, Home (Transport) department in the affidavit filed before the court.

When the petitions filed by the Accident Victims Association and Traffic Ramasamy, seeking a direction to the government to make helmet wearing compulsory, came up for hearing before a Division Bench comprising Justices S J Mukopadhya and R Sudhakar, Deputy Secretary J Sankaran filed a common affidavit.

Following this, the Bench posted the matter to March 6.

Mr Sankaran said Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act (MVA) envisaged wearing of protective headgear and Section 177 provided for punishment of offences. Wearing helmets would reduce head injury and fatal accidents due to it. Considering the safety of riders, the state had decided to make helmets compulsory for two wheeler drivers and pillion riders by enforcing Section 129 of MVA and Rule 138 (4) (f) of Central Motor Vehicle Rules, he added.

He submitted that required government orders would be issued on March 1. Chennai and five corporations, Coimbatore, Tiruchirapalli, Salem, Tirunelveli and Madurai would be enforced from June 1, 2007 and other areas of the state from July 1, 2007.

The state had evolved the schedule after considering practical difficulties of vehicle drivers/pillion riders. As of now about 72 lakh two wheelers were on the roads and the need for helmets at the rate of two per vehicle - one for the driver and one for the pillion rider - would be about 144 lakh helmets. Some might already have helmets. Considering the huge requirement, and keeping in view the time needed for manufacture, procurement and market availability, sufficient time had to be given to vehicle owners.

If this was not provided there would be a melee and it might lead to black marketing and sale of substandard products.

UNI