Gandhinagar: In a significant decision for commoners in Gujarat, the state government today decided to do away with the provision of compulsory use of helmet for two wheeler riders in the urban and semi urban areas ie in the limits of Municipal Corporations and Municipalities. However, despite making helmet use voluntary in the cities and towns, the wearing of the headgear will remain compulsory during rides on national or state highways or Panchayat made roads.
The decision was taken in the cabinet meeting of the Rupani government held here today.
Addressing the newsmen Road Transport minister R C Faldu informed it. He said that people in the cities were making pleas about removing the mandatory use of helmets. Though the state government was of the view that use of helmets saved lives by protecting the riders from head injuries yet owing to oppose of the provision under the Motor Vehicles Act by the citizens and also through social media, it has been decided to do away with it in the urban areas in the local urban bodies limits after in-depth consideration of the issue. It has been made voluntary from today.
Notably, Gujarat was among the first states in the country to reduce the fines of traffic violations stipulated by the new Motor Vehicles Act in September this year. Under the new act not wearing the helmet attracted a fine of Rs 500.
Faldu clarified that on the highways if someone was found riding a two wheeler without helmet, he/she would be fined as per law.
He said that people were arguing that they faced difficulty in carrying helmets while going to buy vegetables from a local market or places like crematoriums.
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