Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Nov 1: The Karnataka government has decided to take action against the manufacture and sale of half helmets and is examining the legal provisions required to implement the move, Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh said.
Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, Suresh said the government would initiate action against manufacturers and sellers of half helmets, particularly those stocking them for sale in shops and godowns.
"There is an increase in the number of people wearing half helmets. There is no provision for half helmets. We have decided to take action against the manufacturers and are examining the legal provisions," he said.
Half helmets, also known as shorty or skull-cap helmets, cover only the top portion of the head, leaving the face, chin, ears and lower neck exposed. They are generally cheaper than full-face helmets and are commonly used by two-wheeler riders, including pillion passengers.
The minister also announced that the government is considering a substantial increase in fines for riding two-wheelers on footpaths. Under the proposed revision, the penalty would be Rs 5,000 for the first offence and Rs 10,000 for a repeat offence.
Suresh said the Transport and Home departments had submitted a proposal and a final decision would be taken after obtaining the Legal Department's opinion.
"Footpaths are meant for pedestrians, but two-wheelers and four-wheelers are being driven on them, endangering people's lives. Several people have been killed and injured in such incidents. The fine, which was earlier Rs 500, is proposed to be increased to Rs 5,000," he said.
The government is also planning to increase the penalty tenfold for violating one-way traffic rules. The existing fine for such violations is Rs 1,000.
The proposed measures are aimed at curbing traffic violations and improving road safety, particularly in view of the growing number of accidents involving motorists driving on footpaths and in the wrong direction.
Meanwhile, home minister Priyank Kharge and transport minister Byrathi Suresh held a joint review meeting with senior officials to discuss measures to ease traffic congestion in Bengaluru, improve road safety and strengthen action against repeat offenders.
The meeting, held at Vidhana Soudha, also discussed the introduction of a points-based driving licence system, under which penalty points would be assigned for different traffic violations. A driver's licence could be suspended upon reaching a specified threshold.
Officials also examined the legal requirements for implementing the proposed system and discussed integrating the Transport Department's Sarathi system with the Bengaluru Traffic police's e-challan platform.
The integration would enable traffic police to verify driving licence validity on the spot, access a motorist's previous traffic violations and link newly recorded offences directly to the driver's digital record.
The meeting further discussed increasing penalties for violations affecting traffic movement and public safety, including parking on footpaths, driving against one-way traffic, unauthorised parking, parking in no-parking zones and signal violations.
The proposed stricter measures are intended to discourage repeated violations and ensure greater compliance with traffic regulations across Karnataka.