Helmet Laws in India: Helmet Wearing Rules & Regulations
Helmet Laws In India: All You Need To Know
Table of Contents
In India, it is compulsory to wear a helmet while riding two-wheelers. By following this rule, you can save yourself from any serious head injury that can happen due to an accident. However, if anyone is found riding a two-wheeler without a helmet, then he or she may have to pay a huge fine for breaking traffic laws. Moreover, there are some types of helmets that are not acceptable. Read on to learn all about helmet laws in India.
Why Is Wearing a Helmet Mandatory In India?
In India, major accidents happen due to two-wheelers. And, in most cases, accidents result in serious head injuries. Therefore, it was mandated for all bike riders to wear a helmet because of the high rate of accidents in India. According to the Motor Vehicles Act, of 1988, if anyone is found riding a two-wheeler without wearing a helmet, they may have to pay a fine of up to Rs. 1000 or be imprisoned for a certain period of time.
When you’re wearing a helmet, your chances of suffering a serious head injury may decrease. Moreover, it will ensure that your parents and other family members live in peace knowing that you’re taking all the necessary safety precautions while riding a bike.
Provisions of the Act:
According to the Motor Vehicle Act, every rider must adhere to some specific guidelines. The rules include:
- As per Section 129(a), both riders and pillion riders of above four years of age must wear protective gear at the time of riding motorcycles. However, it’s often seen that the pillion rider doesn’t use a helmet.
- Rule Section 129(a) ensures that the driver as well as pillion rider should tie the helmet properly by using straps. This secures the riders from potential accidents.
- There is a provision in the act that the headgear is made of such material that gives maximum protection to the motorcycle riders. The shape should cover the entire head.
- All the helmets must be ISI (Indian Standards Institute) marked. Any helmet without ISI-marked is illegal to buy, wear and sell. If anyone is found to violate this rule, the penalty will be applied accordingly.
- All the followers of the Sikh religion are exempted from this helmet law only if they wear the turban.
- There is a RTO rule in Section 138 (4)(f) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rule (CMVR). According to that section, all the dealers should give two BIS-compliant helmets for the driver and pillion rider, respectively, at the time of buying two-wheelers.
- If your dealer doesn’t provide the appropriate helmet, you will face difficulties in registering the motorcycle.
- When the riders do not comply with the helmet law, a fine of INR 1000 they have to pay and their driving license will be suspended for three months.
What is the Right Type of Helmet to Wear?
As a motorcycle rider, you may need to be well aware of the correct type of helmet. Since several types of helmets are available in the automobile market, it’s quite challenging if you do not have a clear idea. This is why this article is so useful for all bike or scooter riders. Let’s look at what you have to check in the right type of helmet:
Shape and Size:
Many riders often wear a half helmet, compromising their safety. A half helmet never covers your entire head, so it is not recommended at all. The helmet law says the minimum thickness should be between 20 and 25 mm, and the weight must be 1.2 kg, not 1.5 kg.
While helmets are manufactured in different oval shapes, they should cover the entire head. The size varies with riders; it’s better to give a trial to check the size of the helmet properly. The properly fitted helmet is a must for long trips, and you don’t feel the discomfort.
Safety:
Safety is the utmost priority of the helmet laws. The full-face helmet not only saves your head in an accident but also saves you in different seasons, such as winter, summer, or monsoon. The glass must be transparent in front of the eyes of the riders. It can’t obstruct your sight by any means.
Certification:
Helmets without the ISI (Indian Standards Institute) mark are illegal, and the traffic police will fine you if you wear them. The Motor Vehicle Act states the feature of the helmet and the manufacturing company has to build it appropriately to meet the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). In order to comply with BIS, the helmet goes through different stages of the BIS test. A helmet is judged by how it protects the rider in different weather conditions and several speeds.
Ventilation and Padding:
You can’t avoid this criteria while purchasing any ideal helmet. These criteria are proper ventilation and padding. The pad inside the helmet is for the purpose of shock of the impact. On the other hand, ventilation is essential for the air circulation inside the helmet. These two features make the helmet comfortable to use for motorcycle riders.
Laws in Different States Regarding Helmets:
Despite the central law, the rules change when you ride a motorcycle in several states. The state governments modify this law according to their policy while keeping the riders in mind. The disagreement among the central government, state government, and riders is the reason for the modification of helmet law in the states. The following are some of the state governments’ helmet laws:
|
State |
Provisions and penalty |
|
Kerala |
At first, the state government implements the law, but due to the request of the riders and unions, the penalty comes down to INR 500. |
|
Uttarakhand |
Here also, the penalty is reduced from INR 1000 to INR 500 for the ride of the motorcycles |
|
Assam, Bihar, Haryana, and Tripura |
In these states, the central law is implemented as it is, and there is no change. |
|
Gujarat |
Like many states here, too, the fine is INR 500 instead of INR 1000. |
|
Karnataka |
Though the state wants to decrease the fine, it will take the final call after consulting with the central government. |
|
West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh |
These state governments don’t allow the reduction of the penalty; the offenders must adhere to the Motor Vehicle Act. |
|
Maharashtra |
Three months of driving license suspension and a fine of INR 1000 apply to violators. |
|
Uttar Pradesh |
Here is an exception: the penalty amount in this state is INR 600. |
|
Odisha |
The law implementation is postponed due to disagreements between riders and the state government. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, wearing a helmet is a preventive measure against road accidents in India. The government of India has come up with certain rules and regulations to decrease the number of deaths due to accidental injuries.
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