HC asks state to submit rules framed for enforcing helmet rule

A division bench comprising Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad before whom the public interest litigation seeking for a direction to implement the helmet rule vigorously came up, expressed displeasure over the state not living up to its assurance given in the earlier round of litigation in this regard.

Even as the Joint Commissioner and Deputy Commission (Traffic) who were directed to be present in the court submitted a report stating that during the past six months alone as much as four lakh cases have been booked for non-wearing of helmets, the bench pointed out that the same does not reflect in the number of accidents arising out of non-use of helmets.

Wondering as to how the motor vehicle rule has come to be implemented in its totality at cities like Delhi and Bangalore but not in Chennai, the bench pointed out that the fact remains that Tamil Nadu witnesses the high number of road accidents and majority of them ended in fatalities. It also noted that the court was only concerned about public safety in the use of helmets and not about the number of cases booked and the income generated through fines.

But, additional public prosecutor E Manoharan appearing for the state submitted that the fine for non-wearing of helmet which is a mere Rs100 has turned out easy for two-wheeler riders who continue to flout the rule. The plea has been posted for further hearing to June 12.