TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: With statistics showing that two-wheeler riders and pillions were involved in nearly 65 per cent of all road accident deaths in 2014, the State Government on Friday announced compulsory wearing of helmet for riders and pillions on city and village roads from April 1, in addition to National and State highways.
A total of 189 riders and pillion riders died in the last one year, with 38 deaths of riders and pillion riders reported in the last three months of the year from October to December.
“Our youngsters are on a suicide mission,” Director of Transport Arun Desai said, during a press conference, adding that of the 189 deaths, 131 deaths were because of the riders not wearing helmets.
Desai said that in 2014, a total of 290 people died in road accidents, of which 189 were two wheeler riders and pillion riders. While the first half of the year saw 170 road accident deaths, of these 111 were riders and pillions, from July to December, 120 accident deaths were reported, of which 78 were two wheeler riders and pillions.
“Keeping all this in mind, it becomes grave to make wearing of helmets compulsory for riders and pillion riders on all roads, including village and city roads, from April 1, 2015,” Desai said. “There is opposition for everything, but the statistics justify the need for wearing of helmets on all roads,” Desai emphasised.
Government had at the beginning of 2014, announced that it would make the wearing of helmet for riders and pillion riders on all roads compulsory, but softened its stand after it faced opposition. According to statistics, the number of deaths involving pedestrians is also high with 68 of the total 290 accident deaths being pedestrians.
The press conference was called by the Department of Transport to announce the 26th national road safety week beginning January 11. The theme for this year’s safety week is ‘Safety is not just a slogan; it’s a way of life’. Awareness on safety would be created in schools, higher secondaries and colleges.
“There would be special awareness lecture for drivers and conductors on safety aspects and interpersonal skills, on how to behave with passengers, at the three major KTC bus stands,” Desai said.
