Helmet-less driving invitation to mishaps

The recent directive by a division bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on riding two-wheelers without helmets has brought the focus back on rampant violation of traffic rules in the holy city.

The commuters are not very particular about wearing the mandatory safety headgear as a majority of the city residents, including youth, flout the norms with impunity. Women, especially, hardly wear these helmets.

The High Court had recently directed the states of Punjab, Haryana and Union Territory of Chandigarh to file a detailed report on challans issued to those on two-wheelers or riding pillion without headgear.

The amendment to Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act mandates the use of helmet for all motorcycle riders above the age of four, including women, except Sikhs wearing turban. The High Court had taken suo motu cognizance with regard to the safety of women on motorcycles, particularly Sikh women not wearing turban.

As per the amended Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, driving a scooter or bike without helmet is serious traffic violation and can attract a fine of up to Rs 1,000. The traffic police can also impound the vehicle or suspend the driving licence.

Sikander, a resident of Mahal village, said that people should be more responsible while driving on roads. Ironically, sometimes commuters do carry helmets but wear it only when they see cops issuing challans at the chowks.

Balraj, another resident, pointed out that people also tend to use substandard helmets which hardly protects them in case of any accident.

Dr Rakesh Sharma, a private surgeon, said that head injuries are one of the main reasons for road fatalities and wearing helmets can bring it down significantly. Besides the people who should act in a responsible manner, the traffic cops should also use some strictness in implementing the norms.

According to traffic cops, over 1,500 persons were issued challans for helmet-less driving during the year.

“Two-wheeler riders not wearing helmets are always at risk. The traffic police issue challans on a daily basis to the violators besides making efforts to motivate them to wear safety headgear which is for their own safety. But unfortunately, people hardly follow the norms and risk their lives while driving on roads,” said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Harpal Singh.