There is an increase in the use of non-ISI regulated helmets in the city.
In 2019, more than 20 lakh cases of Defective helmets were registered with the Bengaluru Traffic Police. According to Nimhans, 84% of the accidents that take place in Bangalore involve two-wheeler riders who don’t wear ISI helmets. ”People buy more of non-ISI helmets than the ISI ones as they are cheaper. Sales are going good but more sales are for the cheaper ones”, said Suraj Kumar, helmet seller.
People continue to use foreign or non-ISI standard helmets even after strict regulations. The penalty for this is 2 years of jail and a fine up to Rs. 2 lakhs. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) IS-451 has set certain standards for testing and criteria for which the helmet must comply with for safety. “We first warn them and after that, we file a case against them when they violate the rule of the helmet. Defective helmet is the section under which we place our charges. Helmets definitely need ISI mark without this no one is allowed to use their two-wheelers”, said Mr. MS Prakash, ACP, Traffic Police.
The use of cheaper helmets makes the riders involved in accidents more prone to severe head injuries. “If a male or a female can buy a vehicle of Rs. 50,000 then why a bargain with helmets? The ISI mark helmets are safe with the ear pads and the chin belt. The helmet is also very important as far as the impact with the load is concerned. The cheaper helmets are easy to break than the ISI ones”, said Mr. M.N Srihari, CEO, Transport agency consultant’s service.
