If you ride a two-wheeler with your four-year-old kid in tow, then you should know that he will very soon have to wear a helmet! Yes, you read it right.
The government has proposed some changes in the Motor Vehicle Act and they may soon make helmets mandatory for children aged four years and above. There are other amendments to the bill as well.
Changes in road safety for kids
There are three prominent changes that the government seeks to implement at the earliest
- A child aged four years and above must wear a helmet when on a two-wheeler
- Car passengers aged below 14 years to be secured with a safety belt. Any violation os this change would attract a fine of Rs 1,000.
- The pillion rider would have to 'securely fasten' the headgear and not wear it just to avoid traffic police. This is especially true for teenage riders and even young kids.
While introducing these amendments, Nitin Gadhkari, the current Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping reportedly said the aim of these rules (especially for kids) is to ensure that India does not lose precious young lives on the roads.
Punishment for the offences
The government has also proposed stricter punishments for these offences. Here's how:
- Besides a fine, the offences would lead to the suspension of a licence for minimum three months
- Repeat offenders will lose their licence
- Repeat drunk-driving offenders would be fined Rs 15,000, and a serial 'dangerous driver' Rs 10,000 or one year in jail or both.
However, in order for these rules and regulations to be a success, parents will have to be more vigilant and make sure that their kids follow certain basic road safety rules.
Continue reading to see the road safety rules Indian kids must be taught.
5 basic road safety rules to teach your kids
You and I are both aware that Indian roads have always been marred by either pot holes, rash driving or non-working signals. And that's why it is important to teach kids as young as three about some basic road safety rules.
Here's what you can begin with.
- Colour coordinated: Teach your kids the meaning of different colours on the traffic light post. For instance, 'red' means stop, 'green' means go, 'yellow' means wait and slow down and the 'walking and standing man' sign to indicate that one can cross the road.
- Stop, look, cross: Teach your kids that as soon as they see the 'yellow' light, they must stop, look on both sides (right and then left) of the road and then cross only via the zebra crossing. Ask them to never indulge in jaywalking and always use the crossing to reach the other side of the road.
- Always listen and pay attention: Teach your kids to always pay attention to the traffic. Make sure to look right and left, especially near a bend where it's difficult to spot a car. If they hear a horn, they must stop and check before crossing.
- Never run on roads: Teach your kids to never run across or on the sidelines of the roads. Children often get excited and tend to leave their guardians' hands and run off. You must discourage them from doing so. Ask them to always be patient and observe the cars around before making any physical movement on the road.
- Always use the sidewalk: Teach your kids to always use the sidewalk to walk and never the road. Start by setting an example yourself, so your kids can follow in on your footsteps.
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