When riding a two-wheeler, a helmet is essential for the safety of the rider and pillion. In India, it is mandatory to wear a helmet while riding atwo-wheeler or riding pillion. Almost every two-wheeler rider wears a helmet but some of them tend to just put a helmet to avoid paying a fine. The government has now modified the Motor Vehicle Act 1998 to include an instant fine of up to Rs 2,000 for two-wheeler riders who do not properly wear helmets.
"Every person driving or riding a motorcycle of any class or description shall, while in a public place, wear protective headgear conforming to the standards of the Bureau of Indian Standards, and is securely fastened to the wearer's head using straps or other fastenings provided on the headgear," according to Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act of 1998.
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These fines can be levied whether or not riders are wearing helmets, and they include offences such as wearing helmets with the strap untied or without a Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification or the ISI mark. Helmets without the BIS/ISI mark were banned in 2021, and anyone caught wearing one now faces a Rs 1,000 punishment under section 194D of the Motor Vehicle Act. A person with a helmet that is not correctly secured will now be fined Rs 1,000 under the same clause.
Few months back, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) announced new safety standards for two-wheelers, when riding with children under the age of four, riders must carry a helmet for kids and use child safety harnesses.
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People who do not follow the new rule will be fined Rs 1,000 and their driver's license can be suspended for three months. The Central Motor Vehicles Act has been updated to include a new provision that would improve the safety of children travelling as pillion on two-wheelers. Children under the age of four are subject to the restriction.
For your protection and the safety of others on the road, we always advise our readers to wear proper protective gear and follow all traffic rules when riding a two-wheeler.
