Karnataka government is mulling a number of road safety measures to address traffic safety by curbing accidents suffered by two-wheeler riders. Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh has said that the state is also considering stopping or banning the production and sale of “half helmets,” which are widely attacked for their lack of protection for cyclists.
The minister said in Vidhana Soudha that he is reviewing existing legal arrangements and considering whether a ban on half helmets can be implemented. The government is also keen to reduce the production and use of helmets that do not meet road safety standards.
The minister said that they are also seeing the increasing use of half helmets by two-wheeler riders in the cities and that they do not provide sufficient protection in case of an accident, and that full-face helmets provide better protection for the head and face. So the Transport Department is now examining how to stop the use of them and it can be said that this will reduce ride incidents and people who have to take them will be safer.
Government Study of Production and Sale Restrictions
Byrathi Suresh says we are having discussions regarding stricter regulation of helmets that do not comply with approved safety standards. And the government will take action against such helmets, but especially against manufacturers and retailers that produce and sell them.
State officials are even discussing a ban on the production of helmets that are not compliant. This is part of a larger drive to improve road safety in Karnataka and curb the number and severity of injuries from accidents.
Any ban on the sale of half helmets would need to be made based on existing laws and regulations, the minister said. There is a process of making good quality legal and regulatory decisions, and the authorities are currently reviewing whether a ban should be implemented with the relevant departments.
Imposing massive increases in footpath Riding Penalties
Meanwhile, in another big step, the Karnataka government is looking to impose much heavier penalties on riders who take footpaths to bypass traffic. Footpaths are for pedestrians, yet violations by two-wheeler riders are becoming increasingly common in several cities, especially Bengaluru.
To address this, the Transport Department and Home Department have jointly proposed a large increase in fines for footpath riding. At present, offenders are fined ₹500 for riding on pedestrian pathways.
Under the new plan, first-time offenders could be fined up to ₹5,000. Repeat offenders could be fined up to ₹10,000. Such a high penalty is expected to be a strong deterrent that will reduce the risk of pedestrians getting hurt while riding.
Proposal to Legal Department approval
The proposed increase in penalties has not yet gone into effect. The state government has sought opinions and recommendations from the Law Department before issuing a final notification.
After legal scrutiny is completed and approval is given, the government will issue an official order for the revised penalties and enforcement procedures. If implemented, the changes would be one of the toughest crackdowns on traffic violations in the state involving two-wheelers.
Road safety experts have welcomed the government’s focus on rider protection and pedestrian safety. They argue that stricter helmet standards and tougher penalties for dangerous riding behaviour could significantly reduce accidents and injuries on Karnataka’s roads.
With the discussions continuing, both riders and manufacturers are waiting for the government’s next step. The proposals show Karnataka is becoming more concerned about road safety and that it is going to enforce stricter traffic laws in the name of public welfare.
