Helmets mandatory for pillion-riders also

Rishiraj Singh has urged the state government to enact a law or implement an earlier High Court order so that accidents could be reduced. Singh said that a proposal has been submitted to the government for making helmets mandatory for the pillion-riders also. Kerala High Court in 2003 had asked the state to ensure that pillion riders also wore helmets. The state is yet to amend the Motor Vehicles Act to implement it. In 2012, a division bench headed by Justice C.N. Ramachandran Nair had asked the state to take steps to enforce section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which makes it compulsory for two-wheeler riders to wear helmets or protective gear. Hence, there was no need for a new law as the state only needs to implement the High Court order.