The Depart ment of Transport will soon issue a circular mak ing it mandatory for both riders and pillion riders of two-wheelers to wear hel mets across the State, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed the State Legisla tive Assembly on Wednes day. Replying to a starred question jointly tabled by MLAs Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira, Altone D’Cos ta and Viresh Borkar and Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao on crimes and road accidents in the State, the Chief Minister said, “Wearing helmets is essen tial for the safety of both, riders and pillion riders.” Sawant stated that if such a circular has not already been issued, he would direct the Transport Department to do so at the earliest. “The helmet rule for both riders and pillion riders of two-wheelers will be enforced in the State,” he said. Adv Ferreira pointed out that the Supreme Court, in its directions issued on October 7, 2025, in a case related to road accidents across the country has mandated helmet use for both riders and pillion riders. Laying a copy of the apex court’s guidelines on the table of the House, he said the court has also directed all State governments to ensure proper and well-maintained footpaths in accord ance with the Indian Road Congress (IRC) guidelines. “I know many people don’t like to wear helmets, but the Supreme Court has clearly directed that helmets must be worn by both the rider and the pillion rider, and that is the law,” Adv Ferreira said. He added that while two-wheeler riders from outside the State are seen wearing helmets, they remove them upon entering Goa. “Why are we so lax?” he asked. Noting that accidents involving two-wheelers are on the rise, Adv Ferreira said pillion riders often suffer more serious injuries as they are more likely to be flung off the vehicle during accidents. He urged the government to strictly implement speed governors in public and commercial vehicles, as mandat ed by law. As per the date provided by the government, 174 fa talities were reported in road accidents in Goa in 2025 compared to 193 deaths in 2024.
Goa to make helmet mandatory for riders and pillions
