In 2 months’ time,helmets compulsory for women

Zubeda Begum,the counsel for the department,told the bench headed by Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri that they were willing to change the provisions in the Delhi Motor Vehicle Rules,which gave this concession to women.

Earlier,the Traffic police had expressed its positive views on making helmets compulsory for women riders. After the Transport department opted not to oppose the plea and said it was willing to revise the rules,the court decided to dispose of the petition after giving them two months’ time.

“The law empowers the state government to make an exception in their Rules. The question,however,will be whether they can make such an exception (exempting women from wearing helmets). We are making these observations since the reply from the department has stated that the matter is being re-examined at the highest level,” said the bench.

The court said it was disposing of the plea on the assurance that the government will make suitable amendments within two months. In August last year,the court had sought a reply from the government on his PIL,which sought to draw attention to the frequent fatalities of women due to a provision of the Delhi Motor Vehicles Rules which exempts women from wearing helmets.

“When accidents take place,it does not discriminate between men and women and the injuries are sustained irrespective of the sex… this rule must be struck down for the safety of women in Delhi,” Ulhas,a filmmaker,had stated.

His plea further referred to the rule as violative of the fundamental right to equality for women,and said the authorities can only make rules that do not discriminate between the two sexes.

Buoyed by the government’s response,Ulhas told Newsline: “I am happy that the government has finally decided to do the right thing. Uniform rule will also help protect the rights of children,whose parents fall victim to road accidents.”

Lost on roads

Number of women fatalities on roads (two-wheeler)