Municipal areas exempted, decision on pillion riders pending
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Given the increasing number of two wheeler riders’ deaths amid declining number of accidents, the Transport Department has decided to make the wearing of helmets by two wheeler riders on all State roads, except for the municipal areas, compulsory.
The Department, next week onwards will start a special drive enforcing the rule and will issue challans to all violators. However, the decision regarding making wearing of helmets compulsory for pillion riders is pending with the Law Department.
Speaking to media persons, Transport Director Arun Desai said that as per Section 129 of Central Motor Vehicle Act, helmet is compulsory on all roads, including panchayats. He said that the areas coming under the municipalities are exempt from the Section.
Desai said that though there has been decrease in overall road accidents over the last two to three years, there has been a rise in two-wheeler riders’ deaths.
Records suggest that in 2011 almost 136 riders were killed in road accidents out of the total 333 accident-related deaths that year. While in 2012, of the total 289 accidents, 168 riders were killed.
“This is definitely a serious issue and a matter of concern for every Goan. As per the Section, every person driving or riding a motorcycle of any class while in a public place, should wear protective helmet as specified by the State government,” he said.
Director Desai said that an extensive drive to keep a vigil on violators would be carried out across the State, next week.
The State government, last year had proposed to make wearing of helmets compulsory on all roads and national highways. It was also decided to make wearing of helmets compulsory for both riders and pillions. However, widespread opposition saw the government once again restricting the wearing of helmets only to national highways and to riders only.
