ON Dec 1, Punjab will move to the next stage in its campaign to ensure motorcyclists travel safely by making it mandatory for those riding pillion in Lahore to wear helmets. The rule will then be implemented province-wise. The step, urged by the Lahore High Court, has come after progressively stricter imposition of the helmet rule on motorcycle riders. During the latest drive, some 324,000 motorcyclists have been issued tickets for not wearing this essential, protective headgear while on the road. Along the way, there have been some innovative proposals. One suggestion is that district administrations should disallow the sale of fuel to bikers without helmets. Certainly, that may help if petrol pumps comply with instructions. And even as this step and other, more drastic measures are being debated, an ever-increasing number of helmet-headed bikers are visible on the roads.

The primary responsibility here lies with the bikers, and it should not have taken so much persuasion on the part of the authorities for them to don helmets. Yet, this has been far from a silent obedience of orders. In arguments similar to those advanced in the first stage of making helmets mandatory for motorcyclists, many have objected to the extension of the rule to those riding pillion — in total disregard of safety and the fact that motorcycle travel comes with a set of restrictions. Those protesting against the mandatory use of helmets are now saying that besides the fact that this headgear is cumbersome, there is the weather to consider. Besides, they want children and women to be exempted from wearing helmets. They speak as if pillion passengers are less exposed to the risk of head injuries than the rider. They must disabuse themselves of this notion; riders and passengers face the same level of risk and the rules must apply to both. Either they should comply with the safety rules or not travel on motorbikes. There are no two ways about it.

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2018