Government proposes speed-limit for two-wheeler with child riding pillion

Need to drop your toddler off at school on your motorcycle or scooter? You will have to follow more sets of rules if a child is riding as a pillion on your two-wheeler.

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India, has issued a notification concerning the two-wheeler riders in India. The draft states that children riding pillion between the age of nine months and four years of age should wear a helmet. The government has also suggested the use of a harness to secure the child with the rider. The harness should be lightweight, adjustable, waterproof and should support up to 30 kgs of weight. The government suggests that the harness should be made out of heavy nylon or multi-filament nylon material with high-density foam.

“The upper torso of the child is securely attached to the driver. A feature by which this is achieved is by attaching the straps to the back of the vest and crossing the straps over the vest so that two large crossing-over loops are formed that pass between the legs of the passenger,” the ministry explained.

Additionally, the rider has to follow a speed limit of 40kmph when the child is riding as pillion. Violation of any of the aforementioned rules will attract a fine of Rs 1,000.

“A two-wheeler is more often than not the only mode of transport for lower and middle-class families. The new rule, when implemented rigorously, will naturally help curb accidents,” K K Kapila, President Emeritus, International Road (IRF) said.

These rules have been established keeping children safety in mind. Currently, there are no such rules in place that mainly focus on toddlers safety while commuting on two-wheelers. However, in a car, one can opt for a variant that offers ISOFIX mounts for a child seat. The MoRTH has also asked for objections and suggestions to these draft rules, if any.

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