Karnataka government to go soft on helmet rule for pillion riders

Bengaluru: The rule making helmets compulsory for pillion riders will come into force from January 12 but the government is likely to go soft on enforcement till March end to give a time span of two months to motorcycle riders to purchase helmets.

Speaking to reporters here on Friday, Transport Minister Mr Ramalinga Reddy said that the government had issued a notification in this regard on Dec 31, 2015. So far, the helmet rule was applicable only to the Mahanagar Palike areas. However, based on the recommendations of the Road Safety Commission, the rule would be extended all over the state, including rural areas, he said.

Meanwhile, sources said that the government would direct enforcement authorities to go soft on those who violate rules for the first two months. If the enforcement starts immediately, there would be a rush to purchase helmets. Some traders may create artificial scarcity and the sudden spurt in sales may create a shortage. This would lead to exploitation of consumers. So, the government has decided to wait for two months till people purchase helmets before cracking the whip.

However, since there is a court direction making helmets mandatory for pillion riders, the government has issued the notification, sources said.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to frame rules for regulating cabs operating in the city to control exploitation of consumers. Mr Ramalinga Reddy said that cab operating companies were found flouting the rules and there was a need to regulate them.

For example, on Thursday, the transport officials seized 25 passenger carriers, illegally transporting passengers to the Airport. They were competing with Volvo buses plying between the Airport and city. The vehicles did not had permission and leading cab companies were operating these vehicles, he said.

Besides, the cabs were exploiting passengers by creating three slabs. The government would restrict them to two slabs like morning and night shifts. The government will also fix a maximum chargeable fee 0per kilometre for cabs.