From June 1 - Helmets made compulsory

Helmets to be made compulsory from June 1
Rule comes into effect in six Corporation areas in State
Rs. 100 fine for first-time offenders, Rs. 300 fine for second offence.

Helmets will become compulsory for two-wheeler riders in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchi, Tirunelveli and Salem from June 1.
The rule will be implemented in the rest of Tamil Nadu from July 1. A Government Order in this regard is to be issued on March 1.

A submission to this effect was made by the Tamil Nadu Government before a Division Bench of the Madras High Court, which is hearing two public interest litigation petitions seeking direction to the State authorities to invoke Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, as per which wearing of protective headgear is compulsory for two-wheeler riders. (While the Act exempts Sikhs wearing a turban other exemptions, if any, will be known only when the rule is framed and notified).

When the matter came up for hearing before the Bench, comprising Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya and Justice R. Sudhakar on Monday, an affidavit sworn by a Deputy Secretary of the Transport Department was filed, stating that the Government had decided to issue appropriate orders to enforce the provision in a phased manner.
Practical difficulties
Citing practical difficulties in enforcing the law, the official said the State had about 72 lakh two-wheelers.

As helmets are mandatory for the rider and the pillion-rider, roughly about 1.4 crore headgears would be required, though many of them already had helmets.
"Considering the huge requirement, as also keeping in view the time needed for manufacturing, procuring and having helmets available in the market, sufficient time has to be given to vehicle-owners," he said. If sufficient period was not provided, there might be a melee to procure helmets. "This may also lead to black marketing and sale of substandard products," he said.
Since wearing of helmets was not compulsory in the State for several years, the availability itself might not be up to the required level, he said, adding, "it may lead to an embarrassing situation when commuters may not be able to buy headgears due to non-availability of stock."

As regards the punishment for violation, the affidavit said a fine of up to Rs. 100 would be imposed on first-time offenders and Rs. 300 for second or subsequent offence. A campaign to spread awareness among drivers and two-wheeler riders would be launched by the authorities, it added.

While advocate C. Lakshmi Narain of the Accident Victims Association filed the first public interest litigation petition in 1999, the second one was filed by K.R. Ramasamy this year.

Source:The Hindu

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