The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday highlighted the "nuisance" caused by two-wheeler riders performing wheelies and other stunts throughout the city, questioning the State's efforts to address the issue.
“And government, what about implementing the already existing laws? In Bangalore, we find in certain areas, youngsters, teenagers and those in early 20s, three persons riding on a scooter or a motorbike, doing wheelies, not wearing helmets. And police do not take any action against them. What is the government doing about that. It is a huge nuisance. So many accidents and deaths are taking place because of that. Anyone who lives in Bangalore knows that,” a bench of Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice MI Arun observed.
The observation was made during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation filed in 2023 by Dr. Archana Bhat K, urging the Court to direct the State to enforce safety standards set by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. These standards include mandating that children riding as pillion passengers on two-wheelers wear a safety harness and a crash helmet.
In response, the State informed the Court that a recent meeting with all stakeholders had revealed that only one manufacturer in the country produced helmets for children under four years of age. Advocate Niloufer Akbar, representing the State, further explained that these helmets weighed 750 grams, which was deemed too heavy for young children. She requested additional time to submit further details.
The Court granted the state until the second week of March to provide the requested information.
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