Many Pillion Riders Are Not Wearing Helmets: Madras HC Pulls Up State, Traffic Police [Read Order]

The Madras High Court pulled up the State Government and Traffic authorities observing that despite the court order, many of the pillion riders are not wearing helmets.

The bench comprising Justice S. Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad, in an earlier order had observed:

"Though the Additional Advocate General submitted that cases are being registered, awareness is created, judicial notice is also taken that many of the pillion riders do not wear helmets. Pillion riders do require safety. In Indian Ethics, it can be said that women pillion rider, is the most vulnerable, in a road accident."

The Court had also opined that self discipline should come in place and the riders and pillion riders should realise that fatal/serious injuries may cause serious physical disability on account of not wearing helmet. There must be continuous education and awareness be initiated to the riders and pillion riders of motorised two wheelers as to the continuously wearing of helmets also, it had said.

The bench had also directed to take measures, to fill up the post of Sub-Inspectors of Police (Traffic) across the State, as per rules.

During the last hearing, the bench noticed that wearing helmets is not being strictly enforced and the Government had not complied with its order to fill up posts. It said:

"Home Secretary, Director General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai, are once again directed to ensure effective implementation. If there is a failure on the part of the Police Officers, not below the rank of Sub-Inspectors of Police, including traffic Police, in the entire State of Tamil Nadu, to take appropriate action, against the violators, for enforcing the provisions of the motor vehicles Act or implement the directions of this Court, then this Court would be constrained to take action against the Sub-Inspectors of Police and others, who are responsible. If supervision is inadequate, then, this Court would be constrained to issue appropriate orders against the Heads of the Department." 

Read Order