Punjab Haryana High Court Helmet Mandatory, Punjab Helmet Mandatory, Punjab Helmet Rule: In a major development, Punjab & Haryana High Court recently made headgear aka helmets mandatory for all in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh. Everyone who is above 4 years old will now have to wear helmets on two-wheelers. Sikh women without turban will also have to wear helmets if they are travelling via motorcycle. The Punjab and Haryana High Court exempted only Sikhs with turban from wearing helmets while riding a motorcycle.
As per TOI, the High Court also sought details from Haryana, Punjab governments, and Chandigarh administration on challans issued against women for riding or pillion-riding two-wheelers without protective headgear. Referring to the amendments in the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 with effect from February 15, 2022, the HC in its order observed, "Except for a person belonging to Sikh religion, who is wearing a turban, no other person (male or female) riding a motorcycle in a public place, is exempted from wearing the protective headgear conforming to the standards prescribed by the central government."
The order was passed by a divisional bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal. The judges passed the orders while hearing a suo motu petition in which the HC had taken cognizance of increasing road fatalities involving women riders.