Wearing of Helmets While Driving Two Wheelers Made Mandatory in Delhi




September 17, 2014 | P. Shenoy

In a huge drive to ensure road safety and prevent accidents, the Transport Department of New Delhi has initiated a special drive for women riding on two-wheelers.

The Delhi Motor Vehicle Rules, 1993 was notified for use of helmets by two wheelers riders. Thereafter, the same was amended in 1998 on religious grounds exempting Sikh (both men and women) from wearing helmets. This amendment also made wearing of helmets as optional for women and pillion riders.

Helmets also called as Head Gears protect two-wheeler riders from accidents while on roads. Since, the extant rules provided option for women riders regarding helmets, there has been a sudden surge in deaths due to road accidents. The Transport Department, GNCT has estimated that majority of such accidents are due to women ignoring to wear helmets. In 2012 alone, there were 576 deaths that were due to riders not wearing helmets.

In this background, the City Government issued notification on 28th August 2014 which was made effective on the same day, mandating women (pillion riders included) riders to wear helmets. The notification exempts Sikh women from wearing helmets due to religious reasons. It also confers powers to the Delhi City Traffic Police to prosecute the riders who are non-compliant with the notification.

To create awareness in this regard, about hundred teams will be deployed in prominent places in the city like Rajendra Place, Connaught Place and Nehru place effective 10th September 2014. The special drive is also aimed at ensuring compliance with amended rules.

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