Sir,

It was sad to read the death of a pillion rider in a recent road accident near Siddalingapura on Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway (Star of Mysore dated Dec.3), when a car hit their two-wheeler from behind. The head of the pillion hit the median resulting in injury. 

It is not clear from the report whether the pillion was wearing the helmet or not. However, this incident highlighted the necessity of wearing the helmet, whether it is a city road or Highway. 

Here I am reminded of many avoidable road safety violations between Mysuru-Bengaluru Highway, like not wearing the helmet by riders and pillions, triple riding without helmet, driving (cars, goods vehicles, two-wheelers and tractors) in opposite direction against moving traffic although provision was made to cross the road by way of providing crossings or underpasses, riding in the middle of the road, even when enough place for such vehicles is provided on either side, etc. All these violations indicate that such road users are not at all bothered about their safety and at the same time, they are posing a danger to other road users. 

There was no mechanism in place to caution or penalise such violators, making them feel that what they are doing on Highways is right, which is not correct in terms of road safety. 

National annual road accident reports are also indicating a significant number of road accidents on Highways and straight roads than other roads and a higher number of deaths involving riders and pillions of two-wheelers than occupants of other vehicles! 

– Dr. S. V. N. Vijayendra, Traffic Warden, Mysuru, 4.12.2020

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