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 media persons, State Road Transport minister R C Faldu informed this. 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.

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.

Postponed, says Gujarat CMO press release

Gandhinagar: Chief Minister Mr. Vijaybhai Rupani today decided to presently postpone the implementation of provision of wearing helmet for the drivers of two-wheelers in the urban areas of the state.

Giving information about this decision of the state government in Gandhinagar, Gujarat Transport Minister Mr. R. C. Faldu said that the decision was taken after considering several points like the speed of the vehicles is comparatively low in the urban areas, good number of speed-breakers are placed on the roads, people travel to very short distances, and to some extent the availability of helmets is also questionable.

Therefore, the state government has decided to postpone the implementation of wearing of the helmet, the minister added.

DeshGujarat