Helmets to be given to customers at the time of vehicle purchase: Madras HC

Chennai: Directing the centre to issue suitable direction to manufacturers of helmets for two wheelers to provide “helmet lock” as a component and not as an accessory, the Madras High Court on Tuesday said “two helmets should be given to people at the time of purchase of a vehicle.

Justice N Kirubakaran, whose order has led wearing of helmet mandatory in Tamil Nadu since July 1, also said celebrities too could be roped in to popularise the mandatory helmet rule.

Underlining the relevant sections of Motor Vehicle Act, which mandated providing helmets to two wheeler riders, the judge asked the centre to ensure that two-wheeler manufacturers provide helmets conforming to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

If helmet is provided by the manufacturer, it will prevent use of sub-standard headgears, the judge said.

The judge, while accepting that there was a practical difficulty in safeguarding the helmet, said “a helmet lock will solve the apprehension of the people of losing helmets.”

Earlier, the state government had filed a compliance report giving details of the number of two wheeler accident cases registered, deaths (with/without helmet) and number of cases registered for non-wearing of helmets between June, 2015 and September 15, 2015.

On perusal of the report, Justice Kirubakaran observed that the number of deaths “drastically came down” from 582 in June to 498 in July.

The Union Ministry of Surface Transport had earlier submitted details regarding standard designs and details of helmets.

The judge posted the matter to October 13 for further hearing.

PTI