Helmet rule: Report sought on action taken

A division bench comprising Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Bhavani Subbaroyan, had sought for the report while dealing with a public interest litigation (PIL) moved by KK Rajendran of Korattur seeking for a sustained action by the police in ensuring that two-wheeler riders wear helmet and see that the pillion riders also wear helmet.

The petitioner had also raised the aspect of enforcing the use of seat belts by drivers and the person in the front seat or the person occupying front face rear seats of motor vehicles as contemplated under Section 128 of the Motor Vehicles Act.

The bench on recording the submission of the petitioner that deaths which had occurred due to the non-wearing of helmets have decreased to 2,956 during 2017, when compared to 4,091 deaths in 2016 held, “Thus, it is the submission that the respondents do not treat this litigation as adversarial, but would place before this court all steps and action taken by the respondents to ensure that there is safety not only for the riders of two wheelers and four wheelers, but also the general public.”

Further, the bench in its order held that often modern vehicles are fitted with very powerful headlights and the mandatory black dot, which is otherwise known as ‘Bull’s Eye’ is not affixed, affecting the on-coming traffic by virtually blinding them.

However, touching on the aspect of ‘day light’ being made mandatory for all two wheelers as per international standards, which is based on not affecting on-coming traffic, the bench said, “What we found recently was several two-wheeler riders purchase LED lights and affix it in the front and those lights are left burning during day time, which is a traffic hazard.”

“This aspect also has to be gone into by the respondents, since steps ought to be taken to prevent motorists from using multi-colour lights in their vehicles,” the bench added and posted the case for further hearing to July 27.