New Safety Rules For Children On Two-Wheelers: Are They Really Practical?

India is the largest two-wheeler market in the world. At one point or another, everyone would have been taken for a joyride on a motorcycle or a scooter while they were kids. For a large majority though, two-wheeler rides are a way of life. It is the way for them to commute.

Millions of children have gone to school and back, to play or to study, all on two-wheelers. Some are found on the back seat while many are found on seated on the edge of the fuel tank of a motorcycle. More often than not, there would also be another child riding on the same bike/scooter.

If there was an accident, the child quite obviously would get hurt and many have even succumbed to their injuries in the past. Many cities across India have made it mandatory for two-wheeler riders to wear helmets, however, nothing was mandated to ensure the safety of children, until now.

In October 2021, the Indian government proposed a new rule that enforced a 40km/h speed limit on those two-wheelers with children as the pillion rider. Now, the proposal has turned into a rule and it has been included in the Central Motor Vehicles Regulations act. In addition, helmets and safety harnesses have also been mandated.

The notification released on 15 February 2022, said that the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has amended Rule 138 and prescribed norms related to safety measures for children below four years of age being carried on a motorcycle.

The children in this age group will have to use helmets. To help with implementation of these rules, it is reported that the government has already asked helmet manufacturers to make helmets for children more readily available. Apart from this, the government has also specified certain conditions for the safety harnesses that will be used.

The safety harness should be lightweight, waterproof and cushioned. In addition, it should have a minimum load-carrying capacity of 30 kilograms. This safety harness should be used to secure the child during the entire duration of the ride.

If any motorist is found breaking these rules, a find of Rs 1,000 will be imposed. Also, the rider's license will be suspended for a period of three months. This new law will be enforced from 15 February, 2023.

Are The New Child Safety Rules Practical?

Without a doubt, these new child safety rules are designed to keep children safe in the event of a crash. However, there are few issues that make these rules impractical.

Firstly, one needs to look at the kind of motorist who who uses a two-wheeler as transportation for children. A middle class or upper middle class family will have access to a car of some sorts, even if it is the most basic car. Poor families and labour class families still use motorcycles/scooters as their primary transport.

Most often you would find two adults and two kids astride the vehicle. These families will find it very difficult to buy one or two more helmets and then the safety harness. Vega makes a helmet for children called Vega Junior Buds and it is priced at Rs 998. Safety harnesses on the other hand cost anywhere between Rs 400 and Rs 1,500.

Then comes the issue of implementation. Only in the metros do we see the helmet rule being enforced strictly. An hour's drive away from the city though, you will find three people riding on one motorcycle and none of them would be wearing a helmet.

A vast majority of the people who use two-wheelers as their primary means of transportation for children stay in the rural parts of India. Hence, this rule will never be followed in such places.

Thoughts On New Child Safety Rules Being Implemented In India

The thought behind the implementation of the new rule is noble and just. However, there are a few issues with the practicality of these rules. Enforcing these rules will be a challenge in itself and not many will be in favour of it. Also, children below the age of four will be irritated no end by the helmet and the harness. Well, we just have to wait for a year to see how it turns out.