Children at risk as parents flout two-wheeler safety norms in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Despite rules, parents continue to carry children on two-wheelers in risky conditions, leaving the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) concerned for their safety.

Children are often seen standing on the front floorboard of the scooters or seated in the pillion with no protection.

The issue has come to focus after a series of accidents, including the recent death of two toddlers in Thanisandra, who fell from their father’s scooter onto the pathway of a moving school bus.

"The practice of seating several children on the front floorboard is dangerous," said a senior traffic police officer. "In case of a head-on collision or sudden braking, that space becomes a crush zone. We are urging parents to seat children at the back, with a proper ISI-marked helmet."

"I see parents wearing helmets themselves while their children do not have any protection on," he added.

DCP Anoop Shetty (Traffic, West) pointed to the carelessness during rush hour when parents ferry their wards to school.

“We see dangerous levels of overcrowding (in two-wheelers) without safety precautions,” he said. “Parents are so reckless that we have seen them carrying a crying infant in one hand and riding the scooter in the other.”

Notwithstanding the rules, children wearing helmets during rides are a rare sight since parents fail to buy them to save money. "A helmet costs less than a week’s petrol, yet they gamble with their child's life," the DCP added.

Police have warned parents that repeated violation would result in the suspension of their vehicle registration certificate and action under the Juvenile Justice Act for negligence.