The Union transport ministry has passed a proposal which observes a new provision in the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) for commuters riding two-wheelers along with kids.
This significant development comes in a country where three-quarters of all vehicles on roads run on two wheels. In addition, there has been rise in number of deaths amongst children in road accidents. Therefore, fresh guidelines have been introduced for two wheelers in a draft notification on Tuesday, October 26.
Moreover, any violation of the proposed rules will invite a fine of ₹1,000 and the driver’s license will be suspended for three months.
According to the statistics revealed by the Ministry, 11,168 children have died in road accidents in 2019. This means on an average, 31 children died every day. Compared to 2018, the number of child deaths in road accidents has increased by 11.94 per cent or 1,191.
What are the new rules?
1) The speed limit for two-wheelers with children on them will be 40km per hour, the ministry said. If the speed of the two-wheeler exceeds the speed it will be considered as a violation of traffic rules.
2) The proposed rules make it mandatory for the driver to ensure that a child pillion rider aged between nine months and four years wears a crash helmet, failing which right-sized bicycle helmets complying with European standards will also be acceptable.
3) For children below four years, safety harness shall be used for attaching the child to the driver of the motorcycle. For those unversed, 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.
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