Helmet & Safety Harness Mandatory For KIds Below 4 yrs
Now in India children above the age of 4 will have to wear safety harness.
According to government data at least 75% of the 277.1 million vehicles in India are two-wheelers. In Delhi alone, out of the 13 million registered vehicles, at least 7.3 million are two-wheelers. Over 2,700 children below the age of 14 and over 14,000 children below the age of 18 died in road accidents in 2020. In 2016, the Center amended the Central Motor Vehicles Act to make it mandatory for children above 4 years to wear helmets while traveling on two-wheelers. Last year since October, the Union transport ministry had asked for comments from the public on the issue. The ministry then issued a final notification again amending the Central Motor Vehicles Act on 15th February 2022. However, it stated that these rules will come into effect after one year from the date of issuing the notification, which means they will be implemented from February 15, 2023.
So what is the new rule?
The new rule states that children between the ages of 9 months and 4 years, riding pillion on two-wheelers will have to wear a helmet and a safety harness attached to the rider. Safety harness is a vest to be worn by the child, which shall be adjustable, with a pair of straps attached to the vest and forming shoulder loops to be worn by the driver. This way, the upper torso of the child is securely attached to the driver. The safety harness for children should be lightweight, adjustable, waterproof and durable. They also announced that the speed limit for two-wheelers with children on them will have to be a maximum of 40km per hour. Any Violation of the rules will invite a fine of ?1,000 and a suspension of driver’s license for three months. Transport officials said that the rule will be implemented next year as time is needed for companies to start manufacturing safety harnesses and helmets for children as per standards specified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
The Bureau of Indian Standards has been asked to study and specify standards for the safety harnesses and crash helmets for children. A transport official said, “Till the time BIS comes out with the Indian specifications for these items for children, the European standards are to be followed. BIS will come out with the prescribed specifications soon.”
