India Today went undercover to reveal the rampant sale of helmets with fake ISI mark and hologram for genuineness in the National Capital Region.
Image for representation (Reuters photo)When a 5-kg hammer smashes an "ISI mark" helmet meant to sustain pressure of 100 kg/sq inch, riding a bike or a scooter in such a headgear is undoubtedly foolhardy. India Today went undercover to reveal the rampant sale of helmets with fake ISI mark and hologram for genuineness in the National Capital Region.
India Today's team bought two helmets from a roadside shop on NH-24 and another two from a famous shop in Karol Bagh, the most famous area for bike accessories and helmets. Traffic and road safety expert Shailesh Sinha volunteered to conduct the crash test of these helmets using a 5-kg hammer.
"The minimum requirement for any helmet is to sustain pressure of, at least, 100 kg/sq inch. For the crash test I have brought a 5-kg hammer, whose force is lesser than the minimum requirement of international standard of helmets," Sinha said.
As Sinha started striking two helmets placed on a pavement on an isolated stretch of Greater Noida one by one, both failed the crash test. The helmet bought from a famous shop at Karol Bagh broke with a simple blow of the hammer.
The remaining were placed on the same pavement for crash test. One of these was the famous Nazi helmet, which is being extensively used by bikers now a days. None of them survived the test.
"These helmets were meant to save a two-wheeler rider at an average speed of 50-60 km/hr. If these couldn't survive the blow of a 5-kg hammer, how could they have saved an average man weighing about 60 kg."
Suspecting that the ISI marks were fake, Sinha said that any helmet with the bureau mark would have survived the test. "I can't comment whether the ISI mark is fake or not. But what I see here is worrying. Any ISI-marked helmet can withstand such a blow," Sinha added.
"These manufacturers are playing with the lives of two-wheeler riders. Each helmet should have a padding inside to prevent the most common injury called concussion, which can be caused by a simple accident. The government should take action and shut illegal helmet manufacturing 'factories' operating from areas like Kirari, Burari and Sultanpuri," Sinha said. The India Today team found a number of houses in Kirari being used as helmet manufacturing units.
On fake ISI-marked helmets and illegal manufacturing units, a senior traffic police officer requesting anonymity, said, "This is not a problem related to traffic; it's related to road safety. Concerned authorities will take action."
Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said, "Wearing helmet has been made compulsory keeping safety in mind. If the government finds that helmets of inferior quality are being sold, strong action will be taken. The government will not compromise with the safety of two-wheelers riders."
According to a Road Transport and Highways Ministry report, Delhi recorded the highest number of road deaths in 2016 at 1,591. Two-wheelers accounted the highest share in the number of road accidents at 33.8 per cent.