Cong puts brake on helmet rule

Cong puts brake on helmet rule
The Times of India

Bangalore: Why make helmets compulsory when traffic in Bangalore moves at snail’s pace?

That was the Congress poser in the legislative council on Thursday to the government’s proposal to introduce helmet rule for two-wheeler and pillion riders from August 1.

Raising the issue, Congressman R V Venkatesh demanded that the state drop the move and instead give priority to checking rash driving and
streamlining the licence-issuing mechanism. “It takes nearly 90 minutes to cover a distance of 10 km in Bangalore — due to high vehicular density and congested roads. When traffic movement is sluggish, how can major accidents occur in the heart of the city?’’ he asked, while suggesting that helmet rule be made mandatory on highways and ring roads.

Joining him on the issue, Independent Marithibbegowda said: “In our state we have two-wheeler families — husband, wife and their children riding on one vehicle. A middle-class family cannot afford three or four helmets.”

Suggesting the government to make helmets optional, he asked: “Why does the helmet rule raise its hood everytime a new government takes over?’’
Replying, home minister M P Prakash said the rule was being introduced in the backdrop of the Karnataka High Court judgment and accidentrelated studies by NIMHANS.

The number of two-wheeler riders who died because they were not wearing helmets was 275 in 2004; 276 in 2005 and 126 in 2006 (up to June 30). “Moreover, a fractured arm or leg can be set right, not a broken head,’’ he added.

Helmet wearing will be made mandatory after a gazette notification is issued. Cops make quick money?

Smell a scam if the traffic policemen have towed away your snazzy bike!


At least that’s what three members of the council did on Thursday while slamming the government for not keeping a tab on the ‘vehicle towing activities’ of the traffic police.
Congress members Prakash K Rathod, L Hanumanthaiah and R V Venkatesh alleged that traffic cops fancied towing away vehicles from no-parking zones instead of collecting spot fines.

Officially, there are 21 private towing vehicles in the city. But the reality is that almost every other traffic police inspector clandestinely operates at least four to five towing vehicles in his jurisdiction, Rathod said.

Vehicle owners are forced to cough up Rs 300 as no-parking plus towing charges when they need to pay only Rs 100 spot fine. Majority of cops do not issue receipts for the fine collected, he added.

Home minister M P Prakash said he will instruct police commissioner N Achuth Rao to submit a report on police owning towing vehicles.

PARTYMAN’S ARGUMENT
It takes nearly 90 minutes to cover a distance of 10 km in Bangalore — with high vehicular density and congested roads. When traffic movement is sluggish, how can major accidents occur in the heart of the city?