Pillion riders on two-wheelers and rear seat passengers in four-wheelers may hardly have a month to comply with the Transport Department’s directive of making helmets and seat belts mandatory for them with the enforcement agencies set to switch over from the ongoing awareness campaigns to strict enforcement in the city shortly.
In a letter earlier this month, Principal Secretary (Transport) K.R. Jyothilal had asked the State Transport Commissioner and the State Police Chief to ensure this in compliance with the Supreme Court directive. He observed that the norms regarding seat belts for rear seat passengers and helmets for pillion riders were not complied with in the State.
“The order in this regard was issued around mid-July and since then we have been engaged in awareness campaigns, educating motorists on its impending enforcement. We plan to turn to enforcement mode the latest by mid-August since we don’t want to act in a jiffy, inviting backlash,” said K. Manoj Kumar, Regional Transport Officer (Enforcement), Ernakulam.
MVD checks
He said Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) squads deployed on checking drives had been asked to spread awareness about the helmet and seat belt rule alongside their routine job.
The city traffic police are also focusing on awareness for the time being. “We keep telling them that the new order may kick in any moment now and not to wait till action is taken,” said P.H. Ibrahim, Inspector, Traffic West.
The awareness campaigns, however, seem to have had little impact on motorists with helmet-less pillion riders still aplenty in the city. Mr. Kumar said it could change once strict enforcement began.
Neither was there any increase in helmet sales, according to dealers. “Almost all two-wheeler owners might possess multiple helmets. Besides, new two-wheelers come bundled with helmets. So, there is unlikely to be a soaring demand, especially in the city. There might be some demand from the interiors,” said Sabu Thomas, who runs a helmet shop at Kaloor.
There is no separate rule for pillion riders and rear seat passengers with regard to helmets and seat belts respectively, and the provisions applicable to riders and drivers are applicable to them as well, with fines ranging between ₹100 and ₹500.
