Use Your Head – Use a Helmet
In Karnataka, the use of helmets by those driving two-wheelers has been compulsory since 2006. Does that mean that everybody wears one? Of course not - this is India where often laws are obeyed only if people think that they will be punished for not doing so.
In Karnataka, the use of helmets by those driving two-wheelers has been compulsory since 2006. Does that mean that everybody wears one? Of course not – this is India where often laws are obeyed only if people think that they will be punished for not doing so.
I live outside the city – and rarely see two wheeler riders wearing helmets in this area. As I get closer to the city, the helmets start appearing. Almost everybody wears them in the city centre – in direct correlation to the number of traffic policemen in the vicinity. And also because of the fact that the use of helmets is compulsory only within city limits. Maybe rural heads are stronger!
Why is it so hard for people to understand that the use of helmets is not about obeying some mindless law to avoid a fine, but about potentially saving a life – their own?
Over the years, I have done many stories on helmets. I have often interviewed Professor G. Gururaj of NIMHANS, a person who has tried hard to get people to understand the importance of helmets. Statistics he has shared with me over the years point to a simple truth – so many people have died because of road accidents, who could have been saved if they had only worn a helmet. Most fatalities of two wheeler riders are because of head injuries.
I have asked some riders why they were against helmets. Some of the responses:
“It feels too hot.”
“It spoils my hairstyle.”
“This rule is only made by the government to help helmet manufacturers.”
And one of the most illogical : “I am only going a short distance.”
Because accidents of course only happen if the journey is longer than a certain minimum distance, right? No?
Another strange aspect of it all – the rule only covers the person riding the bike. The pillion rider, the little children clinging on to the adult are clearly not thought to be in any danger.
It may be hot, it may mess up your hair, it may be cumbersome to lug around. But a helmet can quite simply save a life. Yours.
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HELMET IS DEFINITELY REQUIRED IF WE ARE TO TRAVEL FAST ON A HIGHWAY. INSIDE CITY IT IS ENOUGH IF THE TRAFFIC POLICE ARE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THE SPEED AND LANE REGULATIONS CORRECTLY. ATTITUDINAL CHANGE IS DEFINITELY REQUIRED FOR NOT ONLY WEARING HELMET IT IS ESPECIALLY REQUIRED FOR RIDERS OF TWO WHEELERS, AUTOS, GOVERNMENT / OMNI BUSES AND THE LORRIES AND SOMETIMES PEDESTRIANS ARE FRUSTRATED ON BEING MADE TO WAIT LONG FOR CROSSING THE ROAD…SO THERE SHOULD BE AN INTEGRATED TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WHERE ALL CATEGORIES ARE TAKEN CARE OF… ESPECIALLY RUTHLESS IMPLEMENTATION OF SPEED REGULATION AND TRAFFIC DISCIPLINE WILL BRING DOWN THE ACCIDENT RATE A LOT. LICENCE ISSUING AUTHORITY SHOULD TIGHTEN THE NORMS OF ISSUING THE LICENCE AS IN THE WEST TO GENERATE MORE RESPONSIBLE DRIVERS.. IN FUTURE.
I changed my hairstyle to wear the Helmet…It is for our safety and we must wear it!!!
suppose person is wearing a helmet and Whatif vehicle goes on his body (chest may be)….now don’t tell people to wear iron man like suit while driving in such a cases.
People were helmet. But 9 out of 10 do not properly strap the helmet to the chin. Most leave the strap dangling in air. In an event of accident, the helmet will be in the nearest charandi(gutter) and head mostly in the ICU. Guys and Girls do strap up your helmet properly.
Its clear helemt is worn only for the rule purpose. Life if the pillin rider and child has no value.
One should must wear full helmet with a strap on just to protect the head and once the head is safe then the hairstyle can come next !!!
Most of the accident happened within very near or close proximity of the home when people thinks that the distance is very near and “I don’t need a Helmet”.
For the 1st/2nd warning can be community work and attending road safety sessions and 3rd onwards a strict penalty along with community work should be imposed.
Noone should be left out…rider and pillion rider both should be fined equally.
Mindless country…
Hi,
You are certainly on spot with the ‘Attitude’ issue. Awareness among general public needs to be done aggressively. Also, self-safety should come from within. For instance, I feel awkward without helmet & its impossible for me to ride without it. Whenever I don’t feel like wearing it, I just think about my head landing on the road.
What about tripling ? Three something !