Wearing of helmets for women riding pillion has now been made mandatory in the Capital, with exemption granted only to Sikh women.

The law has come into effect with the government making amendments to rule 115 of the Delhi Motor Vehicles Rules, 1993. Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung had earlier given the go-ahead to the proposal.

According to the Delhi Transport Department, 576 two-wheeler riders lost their lives in accidents in the city in 2012 and head injuries were the main cause of death. “The main risk factor for motorised two-wheeler users is non-use of helmets. Keeping this in mind, amendment to the MV Act was proposed by the Transport Department,” said a department officer.

In the best interest of safety of women, it was proposed that wearing of helmets be made compulsory for all women in Delhi. For this purpose, clause (2) of the rule 115 of Delhi Motor Vehicles Rules, 1993 – which grants exception in favour of women, making it optional for them to wear helmets/protective headgear – was required to be deleted.

The proposal was presented to the L-G who gave his nod and invited suggestions from other departments. After getting recommendations from the Delhi Traffic Police, the Delhi Commission For Women and non-government organisations working in the field of road safety, the Transport Department decided to make helmets mandatory for women pillion riders.

“As per the directions of L-G, wearing of helmets will not be mandatory for Sikh women riding pillion,” said another official.

In 1998, the Delhi Government had made wearing of helmets mandatory for all pillion riders, but following objections from the Sikh community, it had to amend the Delhi Motor Vehicle Rules in June 1999 making it optional for women.

On May 2 this year, the Transport Department had invited suggestions from the public after getting the go-ahead from the L-G. Some Muslim groups had also demanded the same relief for burqa-clad women riding pillion in the city.