CHANDIGARH, November 9, 2024 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court issued fresh directives mandating helmets for children above four years on two-wheelers, amid ongoing debates over helmet rules. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetpal ordered that children above this age must wear helmets while riding motorcycles or scooters.
The court also recommended that the Central government draft legislation to enforce helmet use for this age group. Additionally, the bench reiterated its stance on mandatory helmet use for women riding two-wheelers, with exemptions solely for individuals wearing turbans.
In a follow-up to its earlier directives, the High Court requested detailed reports from Haryana, Punjab, and Chandigarh regarding traffic challans issued to women for not wearing helmets. The court emphasized the need for compliance, particularly noting that previous orders were not fully enforced. It demanded information on how many women riders were penalized and how many women sitting pillion without helmets received challans.
The controversy primarily stemmed from concerns within the Sikh community about helmet requirements conflicting with religious practices. Addressing this, the High Court clarified that the exemption only applies to Sikh men and women wearing turbans, regardless of whether they are riding or sitting as passengers.
The court’s fresh directive aims to bolster road safety measures and ensure stricter enforcement, particularly focusing on the safety of women and children on two-wheelers.
