Pillion Riding to be Banned for 2-wheelers with Less than 100 cc in State!
Mangaluru: If you’re using a commuter segment motorcycles below 100cc, you will not be able to take pillion rider with them legally. But the ban will not affect the existing two-wheelers as per the new rule. Only the new two-wheelers will be affected by the new ban. The new rule will require manufacturers to provide only a single seat on two-wheelers below 100cc. It would be illegal to change seating configuration and add an extra seat for the pillion rider.
The ban comes in the backdrop of the safety of the pillion riders, who are often victims of the road accidents. However, two-wheeler riders on motorcycles and scooters above 100 cc too fall victim to road accidents – so we do not understand exactly how the ban only on those below 100 cc would serve the purpose. A notification to this effect was issued by the Transport Department on October 16 in compliance with the Karnataka Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. The rules say, “No pillion seat shall be attached to a motorcycle with less than 100 cc engine”. The purpose behind it is to prevent pillion riders becoming easy victims of accidents.
The state government has filed an affidavit before the High Court and the circular on the same will be announced by the transport department as per sources. Violators will be charged for overloading if they do not comply with the single seat rule in the future. Confirming the move, Transport Minister HM Revanna speaking to the media had said that the government is only complying with the Motor Vehicles Act. “The High Court of Karnataka had sought an explanation from the state government while hearing an accident case in which a youngster had died. Responding to the HC’s direction, we filed an affidavit that we will comply with the Motor Vehicles Act, which does not allow pillion riding on bikes up to 100 cc.” he added.
A senior officer from the transport department had said, “Going by the provisions of Motor Vehicles’ Act, any bike or scooter with an engine capacity up to 100 cc should not have provision for a pillion rider. However, these rules were relaxed based on the recommendations of Indian Road Congress. This will not be the case, henceforth.” While the ban will be challenging to enforce, you can expect the police to have a field day issuing challans. The ban comes in the recent backdrop of several pillion rider deaths allegedly due to potholes on the road. Two-wheeler manufacturers are also going to be a bit unhappy with the new rule. Some may choose not to sell their under-100 cc two-wheelers any longer.
Statistics prove that most motorcycles that have been hit from the rear by careless or drunk car, truck, or bus drivers or due to the negligence of
the Municipality to service and repair roads before the start of monsoon leading to badly deteriorated roads after rainfall, are all in the above 100cc power capacity such as the Pulsars and various Scooties. Low powered motorcycles rarely meet with accidents unless the rider is irresponsible and careless of his life and of others, be it a pillion rider or someone
waiting in the street.
Safe driving by all and better roads is the only solution.