CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Monday made wearing helmets by two-wheeler riders compulsory for yet another time. This time, however, the direction to implement the rule — from July 1 — comes with tough penalties, including impounding of vehicles and documents of violators.
Justice N Kirubakaran passed the order after taking note of statistics provided by the Home Secretary that 6,419 people lost their lives in Tamil Nadu in 2014 alone as they failed to wear helmets while riding two-wheelers.
It means 17 people died every day as a consequence of violating the rule, the judge noted, while directing the authorities to take strict measures against violators.
The court suggested stringent measures, including impounding vehicles, till the violators produce an ISI-certified helmet with receipt and even cancelling the driving licence of the violator.
The court also directed the Union Ministry of Surface Transport to study details of helmet designs so that visibility on both sides of the helmet would not be blocked.
Further, it also asked the ministry to direct all the states to monitor the implementation of the helmet rule and take action accordingly.
The court passed the order while disposing a motor accident claim appeal filed by family members of a building contractor, who died in an accident while riding on his bike without wearing a helmet. “The pathetic position is that inspite of a Statute and a number of Supreme and High Court judgments, the enforcing authorities neither act in accordance with the law, nor follow the directions issued by the courts,” the judge said while passing the order. The court further highlighted the need to implement the rule strictly, citing the phenomenal increase in vehicular population.
According to the report submitted by the Home Department for 2013-14, there were 1.55 crore two-wheelers in Tamil Nadu.
However, even as it directed strict implementation of the rule, the court also instructed the police not to misuse the directive to cause unnecessary hardship to the riders and give room for corruption.
In 2007, the State government had issued an order making wearing of helmets compulsory for two-wheeler riders and pillion riders.
Though it was strictly enforced initially, the order was given a quiet burial following widespread opposition from a section of the public.