Karnataka govt bans use, manufacture of half-helmets

Bengaluru, Oct 1: In a major move concerning road safety, the state government has decided to strictly prohibit the use, production, and manufacturing of unsafe half-helmets across Karnataka.

Transport minister Byrathi Suresh clarified that the government will take legal action not only against two-wheeler riders using half-helmets but also against the companies manufacturing them.

The crucial decision was taken during a meeting on road safety and traffic rule violations, chaired jointly by home minister Priyank Kharge and transport minister Byrathi Suresh at the Vikasa Soudha here.

Currently, despite traffic regulations prohibiting the use of half-helmets, they continue to be widely manufactured and sold in the market. A majority of riders purchase these helmets merely to evade traffic penalties rather than for actual head protection.

Recognizing that the continued sale of these helmets is a direct violation of existing safety norms, the government has now decided to bring the manufacturing units under the ambit of the law and initiate strict action against them, minister Suresh stated.