PANJIM: Hours after appealing to two-wheeler riders and pillion riders to compulsorily wear helmets, the Traffic Department modified the order and instead advised them to wear the head gear for safety.
This is the fifth attempt in the last over a decade that the helmet rule has been imposed and later relaxed. In the past, opposition from cross sections of society had forced the government to go slow on its decision, restricting it only to riders on highways.
“…apart from the rider, the pillion rider shall also be prosecuted for not wearing helmet while riding a two-wheeler. All two-wheeler riders and pillion riders are appealed to compulsorily wear helmet and fasten the helmet strap while riding a two-wheeler, to save their previous lives in the event of an M V (Motor Vehicle) accident,” Traffic SP Devesh Kumar Mahla had said in a press statement issued on Wednesday.
Increasing accidents and fatalities prompted the department to enforce the helmet rule for pillion riders too. As per the statistics in 2016, out of 336 persons killed in road accidents, 228 were motorcyclists that included 186 riders and 42 pillion riders. In the current year till May 31, out of 144 persons killed, 103 were on two-wheelers – 90 riders and 13 pillion riders. “Had they worn helmets most of the lives could have been saved,” Mahla said insisting on ISI-mark helmets.
However, later in the evening, a message from the Traffic Cell was circulated to certain media persons that ‘wearing of helmets for pillion riders is not mandatory. Hence, strict implementation is not possible without amendment. Hence, we will only advise people to wear it as we are losing many lives’. Under Goa M V Rule 1991 wearing of helmets for pillion is not mandatory the order said.
The government had tried to introduce the helmet rule in the past but widespread opposition forced to withdraw the rule partially. In 2004, the Manohar Parrikar-led government had sought to implement the rule in Goa but stiff opposition led to restricting the use of helmets only to national highways.
In 2012, Transport Minister Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar announced helmets would be compulsory for riders and pillion riders on all roads within 15 days. However, this drew criticism.
Two years later in September 2014, CM Manohar Parrikar gave a respite to pillion riders stating that the rule would initially be strictly enforced on highways whereas enforcement in other places will be decided in the later phase.
