Finally, helmet must for women riders in Chandigarh

Only turbaned Sikh women exempted, unlike in Punjab, Haryana where all Sikh women can ride two-wheelers without helmet

It is official now. Helmets have been made mandatory for women two-wheeler riders in Chandigarh.

UT administrator has issued notification exempting only turbaned Sikh women two-wheeler riders. (HT File)

Chandigarh administrator VP Singh Badnore on Friday issued a notification that exempts only turbaned Sikh women from wearing a helmet while riding a two-wheeler. The order comes into immediate effect.

However, UT senior superintendent of police (SSP, traffic) Shashank Anand said: “We will first create awareness among women. Thereafter, challans will be issued.” He did not mention any specific deadline.

The decision had been pending since May when the Chandigarh administration had received 14 suggestions, of which seven were in favour of exempting only Sikh women while the rest were against it. Senior UT officers sent their recommendations to the administrator for a decision.

On April 21 this year, following the directions of the Punjab and Haryana high court, the UT administration had proposed that all women, except those who were Sikh and wore turbans, will have to wear helmets. Proposing amendment in Rule 193 of the Chandigarh Motor Vehicle Rules, 1990, Chandigarh had invited objections and suggestions from people.

The Chandigarh administration had proposed the amendment considering the safety of women, including that of Sikh women who did not wear a turban, particularly in view of the fatalities occurring in road accidents.

It was in December 2017 that the HC initiated suo motu proceedings on rising number of road fatalities involving women. The HC asked the administration to consider measures to contain road fatalities involving two-wheeler women riders. In the past three years, 24 women riding two-wheelers have lost their lives and 85 have sustained injuries on Chandigarh roads.

The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, mandates headgear for all who are riding two-wheelers, but permits state governments to make relaxation for some categories. It is under this rule that the UT had exempted all women. However, Punjab and Haryana has excluded only Sikh women.

Now, with the fresh notification, Chandigarh has made the rules even stricter than that in the two neighbouring states.

HC TOOK UP MATTER

November 3, 2017: Harsimran Kaur, a 22-year-old riding her two-wheeler without helmet, is injured after being hit by a speeding bus in Sector 22

December 4: HC issues notice to UT administration on a note written by a law researcher who had requested suo motu action after a video of the accident went viral

January 11, 2018: Twenty-four women riders lost lives and 85 sustained injuries in past three years, UT tells HC

April 5: UT tells court it is considering making helmet mandatory for women. However, legal provisions being examined.

April 23: UT invites suggestions from public within one month on making helmet mandatory.

April 24: HC remarks: “Is there a difference between the skull of a male and a female?” as UT fail to take a final decision

July 6: UT notifies rule making helmet mandatory for all women except turbaned Sikh women