Mandatory for pillion riders to wear helmet

The state government has now made it mandatory for pillion riders on two-wheelers to wear helmets. A government resolution (GR) to this effect was issued by the transport department on Saturday. A rule was already in existence under the Motor Vehicle Act, but it was not implemented with seriousness. However, after the issuance of this GR, travelling on two-wheelers without helmets will get tougher.

The transport commissioner on Saturday brought out a notification reinforcing the rule that both two-wheeler riders and pillion riders must wear helmets.

“The decision has been taken after the Bombay high court’s directive given to the state government regarding the safety of pillion riders,” said transport minister Diwakar Raote.

A press release sent out by the department on Saturday said, “Severity of the accidents get reduced if both the rider and the pillion wear helmets and hence the department has decided to implement the high court order.”

The department has not only made helmets mandatory for riders and pillion riders, it has demanded that all dealers who sell two-wheelers must provide two helmets when making the sale.

This will be checked by the RTO, which will collect documentary evidence from the dealers with the customer’s signatures stating that they have received two helmets.

The already existing law under the Motor Vehicle Act’s Section 129, 1988 and 250 states that any rider caught without a helmet will have to face a fine of Rs 100.

Mr Raote had also made it compulsory to issue indemnity bonds while issuing licenses a year ago.