Deccan Herald

Bangalore, Jun 14: The State Cabinet on Tuesday Jun 13 decided to make wearing of helmets compulsory by two-wheeler and pillion riders by July 31.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Basavaraj Horatti said a detailed notification would be issued by the transport department soon. The department, however, will have to enforce the helmet rule by July 31, he said. The decision was taken following a high court order in this regard.

In October 2003, a division bench of the Karnataka High Court comprising Justice M F Saldanha and M S Rajendra Prasad passed an order for introducing the helmet rule while considering public interest litigation. Later, in March 2004, the high court ordered implementation of the helmet rule and fixed April 1, 2004 as the deadline.
 
The government however deferred the implementation of the order in the wake of elections. The high court initiated contempt of court proceedings against the government for not implementing the order.

On May 2004, the Dharam Singh government mooted reintroduction of the helmet rule and June 15, 2004 was fixed for implementation. But it was not to be. Quite a number of MLAs articulated their opposition, accusing the government of playing into the hands of helmet manufacturers.

The government’s order that both the rider and the pillion should wear helmets raised questions on its feasibility. Following the controversy a decision was deferred again.

What to look for in helmets

• ISI mark, Section 4151 and serial number inscribed on helmet

• Should be light weight

• Lining material should be of good quality

• Average weight: 600 to 1,200 grams

• Local helmets weigh even 2,000 grams

• Average price (ISI mark): Rs 400 to 1,500