While the current drive against riders not wearing helmets a prime reason for deaths
of two-wheeler riders and pillions in road accidentsis
on national highways, statistics collected by the Goa traffic police reveal that there
were more deaths on district and village roads that are categorized as other roads’.
Out of the total 159 two-wheeler riders who died on the roads of Goa in 2008,
133 were riders and 26 pillion riders. Of the 133, 77 died on other’ roads as did
12 of the 26 pillion riders. Traffic police sources said the drive against helmet-less
riders should be carried out on both state highways and other’ roads in view of the
high incidence of deaths on these thoroughfares.
This incidentally, is also a recommendation made by former Maharashtra DGP P S
Pasricha, who was invited by the state government to study the traffic situation and
who submitted a report in May 2008. His recommendations are yet to be
implemented. It may be recalled that opposition leader Manohar Parrikar during his
tenure as chief minister had made it compulsory for riders to don helmets despite
protests by motorcycle pilots and riders who felt this would be a cumbersome
exercise. The pilots had also protested the need for their pillions to wear helmets
claiming that this would be unhygienic, among other things. The issue was much
discussed and finally Parrikar found a way out by making it compulsory for riders
to wear helmets on national highways.
Years later, data has shown that more deaths have occurred on village and district
roads where there is no compulsion for riders to use helmets as per the relaxation
made by the state government.
In fact, more often, those riding two-wheelers are found stopping their vehicles to
don helmets once they reach the highway and taking it off once they’re off it.
The findings in 2008, for instance, reveal that of the 133 riders who died, 122 were
not wearing helmets. Similarly, none of the 26 pillion riders who died were wearing
helmets. With over 50 motorcyclists already dead this year, SP (traffic) Arvind
Gawas reasoned, “Motorcyclists are the most vulnerable road users barring
pedestrians. In the event of an accident, riders are prone to head injuries, which is
why under the Indian law it is compulsory for both the rider and pillion rider to
wear helmets. Non-use of helmet is punishable under Section 129 of MV Act,
1988 and Section 273 of Goa Motor Vehicles Rules.”
Gawas further pointed out that the central law makes it mandatory for both the
rider and pillion rider to wear helmets, but its implementation is left to the states.
So, while it is mandatory in Delhi for both the rider and the pillion rider to wear
helmets, only the rider has to wear a helmet in Mumbai, he explained.
Sources said that the traffic police are contemplating approaching the government
to ensure that despite the relaxation in the state towards wearing helmets on other’
roads, two-wheeler riders be made to wear helmets on all roads for their own
safety.
source: www.timesofindia.com
