Bengaluru: Mandatory for pillion riders to wear helmets from today

Bengaluru, Jan 12: In Bengaluru, Pillion riders must wear helmets from today (Tuesday, Jan 12). The violators will have to pay the penalty of Rs 100 for breaking the rule for the first time, if the rule is violated for the second time, then Rs 300 fine will be levied and for third time violation, the driving license of the rider will be impounded, as per the Bengaluru traffic police norms.

On Monday, Jan 11, Bengaluru traffic police launched a drive on roads to create awareness and importance about helmet wearing.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) M A Saleem was quoted saying as that, "a campaign would be held from from January 12 to 20 to create awareness among the public on the new rule."

On Dec 28, 2015, city's transport minister B Ramalinga Reddy had announced that helmets for pillion riders will be compulsory, with a grace period of 15 days, that ends today.

On Aug 18, 2015, the Supreme Court Committee of Road Safety had directed the six states including Karnataka to implement it at the earliest. As per the government data, 30% of accidents involve two-wheelers.

Trendy helmets in vogue

For boys, attractive helmets with trendy designs with popular fictional characters like 3D Spiderman, Chhota Bheem, Spiderman, Tom & Jerry, Mickey Mouse and Ben 10 are in much demand, while for girls helmets with Barbie, butterflies and dolls are in vogue.

The sales of helmets have also gone high, with sellers saying that they are now selling 200-300 helmets per day.

In the past, many lives have been lost in the road accidents, where the pillion riders were not wearing the protective headgear.

Meanwhile, there are reports that Bengaluru may implement odd-even scheme like Delhi. Besides Bengaluru, the move will be implemented in cities like Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad and Belagavi.

As per Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, it is compulsory for two-wheeler riders to use helmets with ISI-certified marking because only they are safe.

OneIndia News