New Rules for Children on Two-wheelers: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a notification stating that children under the age of 4 must wear a helmet and safety vest when riding a two-wheeled vehicle.

Highlights:

• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, vide notification dated February 15, 2022 has amended the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, making the two safety equipment mandatory for children between the age of nine months and four years.
• The new rules will come into force after one year from the date of publication of the Central Motor Vehicles (Second Amendment) Rules, 2022.

Key Points:

• This has been notified under Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which mandates that the central government may, by rules, provide for measures for the safety of children below four years of age, riding or being carried on a motorcycle.
• Amending Rule 138 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, the Centre notified that the speed of a motorcycle with a child up to the age of four years being carried on the pillion will not be more than 40 kmph.
• For children below four years, safety harnesses shall be used for attaching the child to the driver of the motorcycle.

Safety Harness:

• Safety harness is a vest to be worn by the child, which shall be adjustable, with a pair of straps attached to the vest and forming shoulder loops to be worn by the driver.
• This can be achieved if the driver and the pillion rider wear safety harnesses so the child can be fastened securely to the driver by attaching the straps to the back of the vest and crossing the straps to form two large crossover loops that pass between the passenger’s legs and the child sitting on the seat.
• This way, the upper torso of the child is securely attached to the driver.