Kerala HC wants women pillion riders to sit astride
KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has suggested the central and state governments to make it mandatory for women pillion riders to sit astride. The governments may even bar women from wearing sari or other loose dress to prevent accidents, the court observed while hearing an appeal against a Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal order. The Centre has been asked to see if it could amend the Motor Vehicles Act (MVA) in this regard. Both the governments must reply to the court within six weeks.
A division bench comprising Justice CN Ramachandran Nair and Justice VK Mohanan, while hearing an appeal for higher compensation by an accident victim, Susamma
Thomas from Kollam, observed Friday that women pillion riders who sat sideways were more prone to falls when the two-wheelers twisted and turned on potholes-infested roads. This posture even increased the risk of accidents.
Wearing a sari, while preventing women from sitting astride, also contributed to many accidents when the pallu rolled on to the rear wheel. The government may even consider a legal ban on sari and other loose dress which risked the passengers' safety, the court feels. "Nothing stops the government from prohibiting use of saris and other loose dress by pillion riders…" the court said.
"Women wearing saris cannot sit astride on the rear seat of a two-wheeler.
Consequently, they sit facing one side, with legs projecting out, leading to accidents by hitting against other vehicles," the court said. The appellant was injured when her knees hit a car parked along the road. She was riding pillion.
Though the MVA permits only two adults on a two-wheeler, the court said carrying a small child was permissible. "We are of the view that more than one child should not be permitted and there should be absolute prohibition against three adults travelling on a two -wheeler," the bench said. The guidelines also prompted vehicle makers to build in permanent handles and foot rests on either side of two-wheelers for the pillion riders. Protective cover should cover at least half the rear wheels so as to prevent sari ends or salwar shawls from getting entangled. The court suo motu impleaded the centre and state governments in the case and told them to submit detailed affidavits on the steps taken within six weeks.
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