Centre Bans Bull Bars.Strict Action To Be taken

The unauthorized fitment of crash guards or bull bars on vehicles was strongly acted upon by the centre on 18th of Dec 2017 which violate the section 52 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and can be penalised under the section 190 and 191 of the same act.

1st time offence will attract a fine of ₹1000 & ₹2000 for 2nd time. Sellers can be fined upto ₹5000 for the sale of illegal accessories.

Section 190 of the Motor Vehicles  Act, 1988 mentions that any person who drives or causes or allows to be driven, in any public place a motor vehicle, which violates the standards prescribed in relation to road safety, control of noise and air-pollution, shall be punishable for the first offence with a fine of Rs 1,000 and for any second or subsequent offence with a fine of Rs 2,000.

Section 191 prescribes, "Whoever being an importer of or dealer in motor vehicles, sells or delivers or offers to sell or deliver a motor vehicle or trailer in such condition that the use thereof in a public place would be in contravention of Chapter VII or any rule made thereunder or alters the motor vehicle or trailer so as to render its conditions such that its use in a public place would be in contravention of Chapter VII or any rule made thereunder shall be punishable with fine which may extend to Rs 5,000."

The major reasons for removing the bull bars has been seen to be:

· Bull-bars may interfere with airbags from opening during accidents: Bull-bars can also interfere with the working of airbag sensors by upsetting the careful calculations that govern their working. This can cause airbags to deploy at the wrong time during a crash, or even not deploy at all.

· Bull-bars are dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists and two wheeler riders: Cars aren’t the only vehicles using roads. Pedestrians, cyclists and two wheeler riders also share space on roads, and governments around the world are legislating to make cars more friendly for other road users.

· Bull-bars damage chassis of a car during big accidents: During a big accident, bull-bars not only impact the efficacy of airbags and crumple zones, but also can cause severe damage to both the vehicles’ chassis’.

· Bull-bars make crumple zones ineffective: Car makers invest millions to make vehicles safer. Crumple zones, which are built into the front end of the car, include components such as bumpers, grilles, radiators, bonnet and other structural parts.

Sikkim has also taken in account the decision by The Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways and has been creating awareness about the rule since long. All private and government vehicles, taxis, etc., are being informed about the removal of the guards.