transport department

wear helmets

Balding, hassle in summer, are reasons for opposing moveThe’s move to make helmets mandatory for pillion riders has received mixed response from the public. The department, which had issued a draft notification in September, has received a number of comments — both for and against — over the rule.Prominent among those who opposed the move say that wearing helmets is an unbearable experience during summer, especially in the northern districts of the state. People in Kalburgi and Raichur districts have vehemently opposed to helmets, considering the Mercury touches 40 degree celsius in the region in summer. In Kalburgi, it is extremely difficult for people to even step out of their homes in summer. In such a situation, wearing helmets is a hassle, they said.Besides the weather, people don’t want tobecause they believe that wearing helmets can cause balding. Some of them have written that purchasing helmets for each member of the family would be a financial burden.However, there are people who have supported the proposed rule saying it would save thousands of lives in the state.Last year, a total of 25,500 two-wheeler riders were killed in road accidents across the country. Around 1.01 lakh people were severely injured. Head injuries are one of the prominent reasons for deaths. It is said that the state government is likely to come out with a final order on the issue in 10 days.Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, additional chief secretary P Ravi Kumar said, “The Supreme Court has already come out with guidelines on road safety we have almost no option before us but to implement the rule. At present we are going through the opposition and suggestions received from the general public. We have received mixed reactions.”If anyone fails to follow the rule, they may end up paying Rs 100 for the offence.Piyush Tiwari, founder of Save Life foundation, welcomed the move. “It is not only for the pillion riders; helmets should be made compulsory for the children riding on the bike. In our country, children are made to stand or sit between two people on the bikes.“Countries like China and Vietnam have already implemented these rules. Advanced countries in Europe too have such rules in place. If the helmets are made mandatory it will definitely save lakhs of lives as riders on two-wheelers is a vulnerable group as far as road accidents are concerned,” he said.It can be recalled that the Supreme Court had set various guidelines for road safety measures to curb the growing number of road accidents and introduction of helmet for pillion riders was one among them. Recently, Tamil Nadu introduced the rule.