Vehicle owners, beware! If you have crash guards or bull bars fixed on your vehicles, you may have to shell out ₹ 2,000 penalty as the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) has launched a drive against this illegal accessory in the city.
Use of crash guards are prohibited under Section 52 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 under which no owner of a motor vehicle shall so alter the vehicle that the particulars contained in the certificate of registration are at variance with those originally specified by the manufacturer.
A senior Regional Transport Office (RTO) official told The Hindu that in many cases bull bars obstruct the sensors installed on the car and affect the deployment of airbags at the time of collision. “It has proved to be risky in several accidents where the airbags failed to deploy,” said J. Pandurang Naik, Joint Transport Commissioner.
In December last year, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had directed all state governments to act against unauthorised installation of bull bars on the front and rear of vehicles, saying that they ‘pose serious safety concerns to pedestrians as well as occupants of the vehicles’.
It is a common sight where four-wheeler owners, especially SUVs and MUVs fix the crash guards to prevent minor head on collision with other vehicles and avoid dents or scratches while parking. They are also fitted to protect headlights, bumpers and radiator.
The ban is in force in cities like Delhi. Apart from the general public, police and other government vehicles in the state also install crash guards.
As part of the drive, the RTO officials have already started refusing to register vehicles fixed with crash guards at Khairatabad, Trimulgherry and other RTO offices in the city. “The same will be enforced across the state soon,” the official said.
The RTA is also planning to start a campaign against the use of crash guards in the city as many vehicle owners are not aware of the guidelines and fit their vehicles with the illegal accessory. “We are also going to take strict action against the outlets who fix the bull bars,” the official said.
