Today, the Karnataka High Court responded to a public interest litigation by summoning the state government and urging immediate steps to ensure an ample supply of child safety helmets and harnesses for kids starting at nine months old.

The division bench of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice Krishna S Dixit, directed the respondent following a petition submitted by Dr. Archana Bhat K. The petition urges the strict enforcement of Rule 138 (7) of the Central Motor Vehicle (Second Amendment) Rules 2022, along with the full implementation of Sections 129, 137, and 194 of the Motor Vehicles Act.

The amendment reads thus: Rule 138 which specify “Signals and additional safety measures for motor vehicle” the following sub-clause (7) has been inserted: “(7) After one year from the date of publication of the Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules, 2022, the driver of a motorcycle shall ensure the following safety measures while carrying a child between the age of nine months and four years, on the vehicle as a pillion, namely: – (i) For children below four years, Safety harness shall be used for attaching the child to the driver of the motorcycle.

Further, the bench directed the respondents to submit their response within two months period, scheduling the next hearing after the vacation for further deliberation on the matter

Case Title: DR ARCHANA BHAT K AND State of Karnataka & ANR

Case No: WP 27135/2023