'Huge Menace': Karnataka HC Flags Non-Action Against Youngsters Riding Triple Seat, Doing Wheelies On Two-Wheelers

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday called upon the state government to inform it about the measures taken to implement existing rules regarding the wearing of helmets by two-wheeler riders and to ensure road safety among bikers.A division bench of Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice M I Arun orally remarked, “What about implementing the existing rules, regarding helmets. In Bengaluru we find in certain areas, youngsters, teenagers and those in early 20's, three persons riding on a scooter or a motorbike, doing wheelies and police do not take any action against them. What is the government doing about that? It added “That is causing a huge nuisance, anybody living here will know about it. There have been reported accidents and deaths caused by that it is public knowledge. It is about implementing the existing laws.” The bench made the observation while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Dr Archana Bhat K, seeking a direction on the State to take urgent measures to ensure adequate availability of child safety helmets and child safety harnesses, for children from the age of nine months. The court while granting time to the state government to file its response to the PIL by March 11, said “On the next hearing of the present PIL the approach of the court may not be confined to the implementation of Rule 138 (7) of the Central Motor Vehicle (Second Amendment) Rules 2022, only. But the court may require the state government to address the implementation of safety rules for two wheeler riders, including pillion riders, and number of persons who ride on such two wheelers. The reply that shall be filed shall take note of this aspect also.” During the hearing, the petitioner's counsel pointed out that in neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, helmets for children are available and they should be made available here also. The government informed the court that a meeting with the helmet manufacturers was recently held and steps are being taken. Producing a helmet in court which is meant for children of age 4 years and above it was said that it may not be conducive for a child to carry it. The court also orally said, “We do not know the child-friendliness of these helmets for children below 4 years.” But added that it would decide the same after going through the reply filed by the state government. The amendment reads thus: Rule 138 which specify “Signals and additional safety measures for motor vehicle” the following sub-clause (7) has been inserted: “(7) After one year from the date of publication of the Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules, 2022, the driver of a motorcycle shall ensure the following safety measures while carrying a child between the age of nine months and four years, on the vehicle as a pillion, namely: – (i) For children below four years, Safety harness shall be used for attaching the child to the driver of the motorcycle.Case Title: DR ARCHANA BHAT K AND State of Karnataka & ANRCase No: WP 27135/2023

'Huge Menace': Karnataka HC Flags Non-Action Against Youngsters Riding Triple Seat, Doing Wheelies On Two-Wheelers

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