PANJIM: Two-wheeler riders will have to compulsorily wear helmets on city and village roads, in addition to national and state highways from April 1, the State Government announced on Wednesday.
This decision has been taken in view of statistics of accidents in 2014 which show that almost 60 percent of all road accident deaths involved two-wheelers. A total of 189 riders died in road accidents in 2014.
“Our youngsters are on a suicide mission,” Director of Transport Arun Desai said, adding that of the total 189 deaths, 131 deaths were due to non-usage of helmets.
Desai said that from April 1, the enforcement drive against non-wearing of helmets would be extended to city and village areas, as it has been noticed that a large number of accidents occur in villages.
Accident data for 2014 shows that 290 people died in road accidents. In the first half of the year 170 deaths involving two-wheelers were reported, of which 111 were riders and pillions while from July to December 120 deaths were reported which included 78 riders and pillions.
“Keeping all this in mind the transport department was of the strong view that helmets for riders should be made compulsory on all roads,” the director said.
Desai pointed out that during a surprise enforcement drive on March 7, 687 challans were issued for violation of Motor Vehicle Act, which involved 381 challans for not wearing helmets and 78 for riding without licences. Of these violators, 50 percent were minors.
Meanwhile, the transport department has submitted a draft Road Safety Policy document to the government for finalization, during the recently held State Road Safety Review Committee meeting headed by the Chief Secretary.
Also, in a bid to reduce road accidents by 50 percent by 2020, a master plan has been prepared and submitted to government, following directives from the Union Ministry for Road Transport
and Highways.
