BANGALORE: The Government has ruled out reconsidering the decision to make crash helmets mandatory for two-wheeler riders and pillion passengers, from July 31.

Replying to Vatal Nagaraj (Kannada Chaluvali) during Zero Hour in the Legislative Assembly on Monday, Home and Law Minister M.P. Prakash said the Government had taken the decision on the basis of the merits of the issue and would implement it.

Mr. Prakash said the decision was based on a Karnataka High Court directive and the recommendation and findings of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) on fatal head injuries and the need to reduce them. The rule was made mandatory in the interests of the public.

Mr. Nagaraj said the decision to make wearing of helmets compulsory for those riding pillion was wrong and it showed the authoritarian mentality of the Government. He staged a walkout in protest against the decision. Before walking out, he said enforcing the wearing of helmets would serve no purpose if roads continued to be in the state they were and traffic offenders were not booked. The wearing of helmets by pillion passengers would be inconvenient and uncomfortable, particularly for children. It was difficult for two-wheeler riders to carry two helmets, he said.

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