Last year, the Delhi High Court had made it compulsory for two-wheeler manufacturers to provide a helmet with every bike they sell. This move was however, opposed by The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). As a result of this, SIAM had filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court thus, challenging the Delhi High Court’s order.
SIAM found this order unrealistic and problematic for all those consumers who might be purchasing their second two-wheeler or already own a helmet. According to SIAM, the new rule will conflict with the existing Motor Vehicle Act by emphasizing on helmet for a vehicle instead of helmet for a person. The new rule will also add to the bill of newly purchased two-wheelers to cover the costs of the new helmet.
Even after the visible flaws in the new rule, The Supreme Court has given a green signal to implement the new law which will force customers to buy a new helmet with every new two-wheeler they purchase. According to the Delhi High Court’s order, customers should be provided with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certified helmets via the dealers only.
The surprising thing is that most cities in India have not implemented the rule which makes it compulsory for the rider and pillion to wear a helmet while commuting on a two wheeler. Even though such a law is present in cities like Mumbai, the commuters use the helmet to save themselves from the cops instead of saving their lives from a probable mishap. It would be a more sensible move if the Government would make wearing a helmet compulsory throughout the country instead of buying one with every new two-wheeler.
Source: The Hindu Business Line