Compulsory helmet for pillion riders: State govt to study public response

The State government will take a final call on making helmets compulsory for pillion riders across Karnataka only after studying the response from the public on the proposal, Transport Commissioner Ramegowda has said.

“The government will study the suggestions, objections and reactions from the public before making a decision on making helmets compulsory for pillion riders. We will wait for the responses till October 18,” Ramegowda told Deccan Herald on Sunday.

The last date for receiving public responses in BBMP limits was September 27 but a final decision in this regard will be made only after October 18, which is the last date for the public to file objections and forward suggestions. .

According to officials, the State government proposes to make helmets mandatory for pillion riders in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad and Belagavi on the lines of several other states and major cities, including New Delhi and Chandigarh.

The Karnataka government had proposed to make helmets compulsory for pillion riders, including children, around six months ago. Now, the government is standing firm on doing so following public outcry after the death of many pillion riders due to bad roads in the recent past.

 Karnataka ranks among the top five states in the country in terms of death of pillion riders and motorcyclists in road accidents.