TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Making ISI-mark helmets compulsory for two-wheeler riders in the State, the traffic cell of Goa police has warned violators of stringent action under the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act.
Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Vijay Singh has said that according to Section 129 of the Motor Vehicle Act 1988, only ISI mark helmets are to be used by two wheeler riders failing which the action would be initiated as per the law.
“It has been observed that many two wheeler riders particularly tourist and women are using non-ISI mark helmets such as “Karishma Helmets,” Singh said.
SP said that henceforth the traffic units in Goa will strengthen the enforcement of M V Act against non-use of ISI marked helmets. The directions by the traffic cell is based on GOACAN complaint that pointed out that the tourists are forced to use non-ISI mark helmets by the rent-a-bike operators while women are using Karishma helmets, which are not safe.
The State transport department has also proposed the use of ISI-mark helmets as one of the main condition for issuing permits for rent-a-bike business.
As per transport department statistics around 60 to 65 percent of road accident deaths involve two-wheeler riders and pillions, of which almost 50 percent deaths of riders are due to non-use of helmets. In the calendar year 2012, 289 accident deaths were registered, which include 165 deaths of person on two-wheelers. In 2010, 327 deaths were registered while the number came down to 305, in 2011.
