125 riders killed while riding without helmet

It has become a daily routine for us that before starting our two-wheeler, we always check petrol, brake and air pressure in the tyres, but forget to wear helmet, which is most essential for our safety. Riding a two-wheeler without a helmet is giving an invitation to a head injury. Recently, the city traffic police made it mandatory to wear helmet for riders from January 1, 2019, for safe riding and avoid accidents. The riders are supposed to follow the traffic rules.

However, many Puneites are not wearing helmets while riding two-wheelers and 125 riders lost their life during the period from January to October. Apart from this, 33 pillion riders also lost their life. None of them were wearing helmets at the time of accidents. This highlights the fact that most two-wheeler riders in the city continue to ignore their safety, despite the threat to their life and limbs, by refusing to wear the protective headgear.

As per the Section 129 of Motor Vehicles Act, which makes it compulsory for two-wheeler riders and the pillion rider to wear a helmet. In 2005, the Bombay High Court had made it mandatory for bikers and pillion riders to wear ISI-grade helmets. In 2010, the Supreme Court had made it mandatory for manufacturers of two-wheelers to sell helmets along with the vehicles.

The number of fatal accidents have decreased from last year. In the same period, the traffic police recorded the deaths of 175 two-wheeler riders in accidents in the first nine months in 2017. Since then, 20 more deaths have been reported.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Tejasvi Satpute reiterated that two-wheeler riders in the city continue to ignore their own safety by not wearing helmets. “Had they worn helmets, many of the 125 riders could have survived. But in Pune, riders continue to ignore their safety,” she said.

It is important for motorcyclists to understand the risks of riding without a helmet. Riders who do not wear helmets face the risk of suffering a traumatic brain injury if they are involved in an accident. Without protection, the head is vulnerable to a traumatic impact in an accident even when travelling at low speed.

“Out of 125 two-wheeler riders who died this year, 123 were not wearing helmets. As government employees sign documents to comply with all government laws while joining the service, we are starting our drive against them first. As far as those opposing the helmet rule, we will talk to them and bring them on board by making them aware of advantages of using the helmets,” said Jt CP Shivaji Bodkhe.

He said that gradually, the police will approach private companies asking them to make helmets compulsory for their employees. Later, educational institutes will also be taken on board.