Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore / Bangalore (MB)

Mangalore, Nov 1: As the formation of greater Karnataka state completes 50 years, the government order making it compulsory for two-wheeler-riders in City Corporation limits in the state has come into effect at 0000 hours on Wednesday.

The order, which had been deferred four times at intervals, has now been confirmed. However, the pillion-riders have been exempt from wearing them.

This was confirmed by Bangalore city police commissioner Neelam Achyuta Rao to mediapersons on Tuesday night.

First-time offenders will be levied a fine of Rs 100. Habitual offenders will have to shell out penalties between Rs 300 and Rs 600.

There has been a mixed response from the public to this new rule. While a large section of the public appears to be agreeing with its being made compulsory, there is another section which is of the opinion that the people should be given the responsibility of their safety.

Intensive studies and surveys conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore have proved that most of deaths in road accidents involving two-wheelers have been resulted by head injury. A police official told daijiworld that it was anomalous that the government order had exempted the pillion-riders because in most cases the pillion-riders have died in accidents.

Many riders proffer a strange excuse that wearing a helmet causes hair-loss. Women complained of a problem of hair-do disturbance after wearing helmets.