City pays heavily for riding without helmets

Of the 3,528 two-wheeler riders who lost their lives in such accidents all over the State, as many as 533 died in Bangalore. Udupi was second, with 334 fatalities and Mandya came third with 310 deaths, according to a written reply furnished by Home Minister R Ashoka to Basavaraj Horatti (JDS) in the Legislative Council on Monday.

The rule making it mandatory for riders to wear helmets was re-implemented in major cities like Bangalore, Mysore, Belgaum, Mangalore, Hubli-Dharwad and Gulbarga in 2006.

According to the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Rules, “Every person while driving or riding a motorcycle of any type, that is motorcycles, scooters and mopeds, shall wear protective headgear of such quality which will reduce head injuries to riders of two-wheelers.”

The penalty for the offence is Rs 100. The police collected a total amount of Rs 16.6 crore as fine from riders violating the rule, starting 2006.

Bangalore riders paid the maximum amount as fines too - Rs 10.48 crore - and had the most cases of rule violation booked against them - 10.48 lakh. Following the capital is Mysore (3.19 lakh cases) and Hubli-Dharwad (2.28 lakh cases).

Police officers too were not spared from paying fines for violation. According to information furnished, 25 policemen in Bangalore and 17 policemen in Hubli-Dharwad were booked.

Power

In response to a question by Manohar Maski (BJP), Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje said as many as 154 new 110 KV stations would be commissioned across the State during 2011-12 to improve the quality of power distribution.

Establishing of new stations depended on increase in load and such demand was high in Koppal, Raichur and Belgaum districts, the minister said.