Helmet-less driving continues unabated despite HC orders

Despite strict orders by the Punjab and Haryana High Court that helmet is mandatory for everyone above four years old while riding two-wheelers or pillion, the violation of helmet-less driving continues in the industrial hub.

It is learnt that the Ludhiana traffic police have been issuing maximum challans of helmet-less driving than any other violation. Still, two-wheeler riders continue to break the rules and drive vehicles without any fear. Data of challans of past years can corroborate this fact.

Notably, wearing helmets is now mandatory for everyone above four years old in Punjab and Chandigarh while riding two-wheelers. The High Court has in its recent direction made it clear that helmets must meet Central Government standards to ensure full protection during accidents. However, members of the Sikh community, who wear turbans, are exempted from wearing helmets. The police must provide records of challans issued to riders without helmets. The next hearing on the matter is scheduled for December 4.

During a survey in the city, two-wheeler riders were noticed violating the motor vehicle norms. Most of the violations were noticed outside schools where children drive two-wheelers and they hardly care about wearing helmets. Both riders and those riding pillion were also seen sitting without wearing helmets. A woman, along with her two children, was caught driving a scooter and all three were without helmets. Three schoolchildren were seen riding on a scooter in violation of the norms and they were not wearing helmets also.

Interestingly, many of the riders wear low-quality helmets just to save themselves from challaning. Even the traffic police would not stop them to check if they are wearing ISI-marked helmets.

“I have been wearing a low-quality helmet for a long time and I was never stopped by any traffic policeman. The ISI-marked helmet is quite costly which I cannot afford but I understand the risk of wearing a low quality helmet,” said a motorcycle rider, who came to pick up his child from school.

As per the amended Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, driving a scooter or bike without helmet is a 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.