Sir,

In yet another attempt to make wearing helmets compulsory by riders of motorised two-wheelers, including minors above four years of age, implementation of suspension of DL for three months has been contemplated by State Transport Department recently. When the Central Government increased penalties for traffic violations, public made a hue and cry. As a result, some Governments, including Karnataka, yielding to pressure, have reduced the fine amount.

However, motorists continue this major road safety violation across the country including in our State and city. The increasing number of cases booked against riders without a helmet in Bengaluru alone has increased from 16.4 lakhs in 2018, 20.3 lakhs in 2019 to 20.7 lakhs up to Sept. 2020, indicating that increased penalties could not bring any change in the mindset of the riders.

When people do not fear for their own life and not bother about their family members, they may not fear the rules, including DL suspension. Once again, people may object to this rule and put pressure on the Government to withdraw it. Otherwise, at the maximum, they may wear it only at the signals to fool CCTV cameras and remove them after crossing it, as is being done even now. Some riders are ready to carry it on their hands, but not for wearing it on their heads.

Motivating such people is a major task ahead for Governments across the country to reduce the deaths of vulnerable riders.

– Dr. S. V. N. Vijayendra, Mysuru, 21.10.2020

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