PANJIM: Transport Minister Ramakrishna Dhavalikar on Friday said that the decision to make wearing of helmet compulsory for riders and pillions would be taken in due consultation with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and in public interest.
Dhavalikar, however, made it clear that just because of opposition from a few sections, the fact that on an average 66 per cent of accidents involving two wheeler riders and pillion riders are fatal, cannot ignored.
Speaking to media persons at the sidelines of a press conference organized to announce the works undertaken under JICA project, Dhavalikar said that the proposal would be put forth before chief minister and the decision would be taken in public interest
“We would look into all aspects. The alarming deaths cannot be ignored. Safety comes first,” he added. It has been reported that the motorcycle pilots have objected to compulsory wearing of helmet for pillion riders, claiming that people don’t prefer to wear same helmet worn by others and it is impossible to keep a helmet for every pillion rider.
The State Transport Department has decided to make wearing of helmet compulsory for riders and pillion riders on national and state highways as well as city and village streets from October 2. The road accidental deaths involving two-wheelers has gone up from 57 per cent in 2010 to 66 per cent till March 2014.
According to statistics, in last three months, ending March, 1143 cases of road mishaps including fatal and non-fatal category were reported resulting in the death of 79 people, including 53 two-wheeler riders.
