Ban transportation of iron, steel objects in smaller vehicles: U'khand HC to govt

The Uttarakhand High Court today asked the government to prohibit transportation of iron and steel objects in smaller vehicles from which they protrude and ban two-wheeler riders who don't wear helmets from plying their vehicles on roads.

The division bench of justices Rajiv Sharma and Lokpal Singh directed that no two-wheeler should be permitted to ply roads without the rider wearing helmets with ISI mark.

The court's order came on a PIL relating to road safety and accidents caused due to negligent driving by two-wheeler drivers.

It also noted that 50 per cent of two-wheeler riders were not using protective headgear as ordained under Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Highlighting the dangers of iron angles, iron rods, logs, girdles, including iron sheets and fiber sheets, protruding from vehicles, the court asked the government to make rules banning their transportation in vehicles smaller in proportion to their length.

Till the rules were made there should be ban on carrying iron sheets, iron rods, girdles, steel pipes and plastic pipes beyond the structural length/body of the transport vehicles throughout the state.

Senior superintendents of police, circle officers and Kotwals should be personally responsible to implement this order, the court said.

It should be open to all citizens throughout the state government to point out the non-compliance of this order, it said.

These directions also applied to the factory owners and shopkeepers to ensure the due compliance of this order by their employees.

The state government was also directed to issue necessary instructions to cancel the licences of those found using cell phones while driving, it said.

Till the government came out with the necessary amendment/notification, a fine of Rs 5,000 should be charged from every violator using a cellphone while driving.

The state government was also directed to ensure that no minors were issued driving licences and they were not permitted to drive.

The principals/heads of all educational institutions should make students aware of these directions and cooperate for their due implementation in larger public interest.