NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, DECEMBER 4
Bowing to the public pressure, Vijay Rupani-led Gujarat Government on Wednesday decided to make use of helmet voluntary within limits of municipal corporations and municipalities. But for riding on state or national highways, it is mandatory. The decision was taken in the meeting of the state Cabinet here and was made public by Transport Minister R C Faldu.
However, medical fraternity in the city who treat several high impact road accident cases on a day-to-day basis refuse to buy justification given by the minister about the government’s ‘selective’ helmet rule and say the latter was unaware of gravity of situation.
Announcing the decision, Faldu said, “We were getting a lot of complaints that people were facing practical difficulties in wearing helmets within the urban limits of municipalities and municipal corporations.”
“The subject came up for consideration before the government. And today, the Cabinet has decided to make use of helmet voluntary within the limits of municipalities and municipal corporations. However, helmets will be compulsory on state highways, national highways and panchayat roads outside the limits of municipalities and municipal corporations,” he added.
Notably, Gujarat was among the first states in the country to reduce the fines of traffic violations stipulated by the new Motor Vehicles Act in September this year.
Bouquets and brickbats
Most of the youngsters welcomed the easing of helmet rules. Wearing a helmet is about personal safety and that if even large sums of fine don’t force people to wear it, then there is little else that the government can do, they say.
“Wearing a helmet is a danger to the rider themselves and it does not compromise with the safety of others on the road. Fines should be increased on violations like parking vehicles on footpaths or roads, running a red light, overspeeding etc,” said Usha Modi, a housewife.
A school teacher in Ghatlodia area of Ahmedabad said, “Armed with the Gujarat High Court order, Ahmedabad City Police and the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation had swung into action and put an end to parking of vehicles on roads when A K Singh was the Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad. Now, it is back to square one as vehicles are parked on footpaths forcing the pedestrians to walk on the roads. Unless they levy hefty fines on people, no one will follow the traffic safety rules and the behavioural change that needs to be brought will not come.”
Dr Shashank Vyas, a private medical practitioner, Ahmedabad said, “Their opposition to helmet rule is baseless and ridiculous. Firstly, all those who are opposing are unaware of seriousness of a brain injury that takes place due to lack of helmet. Secondly, all those who are opposing this basic rule roam in cars and do not ride a two-wheeler. They are practically unaware of the gravity of the situation. They are not the right ones to oppose or decide on helmet rules in the city. If a person’s live is lost to a two-wheeler accident, it directly hits the nation’s productivity.”
“Wearing a helmet reduces brain injuries for all two-wheeler riders of all ages.” said Dr. Rajesh Rajpal.
Benefits of helmet for rider, pillion
According to the new motor vehicles act, both the rider and pillion must wear a helmet while travelling on a two-wheeler. This is the global norm that is meant to protect the rider and pillion from life threatening head injuries that occur during two wheeler accidents. The head injury is the single biggest reason for two-wheeler riders losing their lives in accidents, and also being rendered in a vegetative state after a major accident.
A well-made crash helmet is designed to absorb most of the impact when the rider’s head hits the road. This ensures that the rider does not suffer from a serious head injury, and in most cases, saves the rider’s life. Not wearing a helmet can have serious consequences in case of an accident. Notably, most accidents that claim lives of two-wheeler riders and pillions through head injuries occur in city limits.
