PUNE: The death toll on city roads explains why helmets aren’t about discretionary use – 593 of 603 two-wheeler riders who died in accidents in the last three years suffered severe head injuries as they were not wearing helmets. The deaths-on-road data also reveals that almost half the fatalities in accidents on Pune city roads each year are those of two-wheeler riders, the highest casualty among road users.
In 2014 alone, of the 184 two wheelers riders who died in accidents, 177 were not wearing helmets. This fatality count should serve as a wake-up call for people to follow the helmet rule, say traffic experts. But the poor compliance to this basic safety norm is reflected in the fines the traffic police have collected – over Rs 30 lakh, at the rate of Rs 100 per offender since January this year. Of this, an estimated 8 lakh offenders were penalised in the last one week alone during the ongoing helmet drive.
The state economic survey last year had pegged Pune’s two-wheeler density at 48.8% of the total vehicular population in the city. The number of road accidents involving two-wheelers was 400-500 in the last few years, almost half of them resulting in deaths, most victims being young people.
Studies on road safety conducted in Pune over the years have repeatedly underlined the importance of helmet use. “Of the total number of road fatalities, 50% are of two-wheeler riders and in most cases the death occurred because the person was not wearing a helmet,” said road safety expert Rajendra Sidhaye, who is the chairman of Save Pune Traffic Movement. He further said that when they launched their ‘Save 100 Lives’ initiative, it revealed that chances of survival in an accident were about 90% or more if the person was wearing a helmet.
Sidhaye’s observations are in line with the reasons World Health Organization lists for exhorting countries to make helmets compulsory. Among the many reasons that WHO lists are: Wearing a motorcycle helmet correctly can reduce the risk of death by almost 40% and the risk of severe injury by over 70%. When motorcycle helmet laws are enforced effectively, helmet wearing rates can increase to over 90%.
Road safety expert Prashant Kakade said there have been cases in the city where even a minor push to a two-wheeler rider by a bus or heavy vehicle has resulted in a head injury and the loss of life. “The head is a critical part of the body. It is also important to strap the helmet properly and also use helmets of ISI mark,” he said. Kakade added that branded helmets are now available even for children. The rider, the pillion, as well as children should wear helmets for their safety, he added.
The argument that helmets are not needed for city driving has no takers among road safety experts, least of all the traffic police. Sidhaye said that there are many road stretches in the city where the speed of vehicles is between 40 to 60kmph. “Helmets give a huge protection. A head injury can result in death or the person slipping into a coma or even loss of memory,” he said.
The traffic police are trying to drive home the same point. “With our campaign, we not only want to enforce the helmet rule, but also educate riders about its importance. Drop a coconut from the height of six feet and the result is similar to what happens to your head when you fall from the bike,” said Sarang Awad, deputy commissioner of police (traffic).
Awad said, “Riding a two-wheeler is all about balance. There are stretches in the city, like Jangli Maharaj Road, Fergusson College Road, Senapati Bapat Road or others where riders touch 50-60km/hr and even 100km/hr in some cases. An imbalance can occur anytime and even for no fault of the rider.”
While there is resistance from some citizens, there are many who have appreciated the helmet drive. Sujoy Bose, member of the Friends of Traffic Police (FOTP) group said, “It is a great initiative by the police. Almost 40-50 per cent of the riders already use helmets. The rest will hopefully learn now. If nothing, the campaign will at least instill the fear that you can be caught anywhere, anytime.”
Sourabh Sahasrabudhe, another citizen in favour of the helmet rule said if persisted, mindsets will change. “Since 2012, six to seven of us have stood at the base of Sinhagad Fort on Sundays to educate riders about the importance of wearing the helmet. Several people who were regulars to the fort gradually started wearing helmets after that,” he said.
Incidentally, the new draft bill about road transport and safety to be presented in the winter session of Parliament this November not only has a provision that children should wear helmets, but also that if a person sells protective gear which is not of specified type, he is liable to be convicted.
Police commissioner Satish Mathur said that helmets were legally mandatory and that public awareness about use of helmets has been conducted.
Awad reiterated, “It is mandatory for the rider and pillion to wear helmets. In case you fall, you always tend to fall on your head.”
Date: November 16, 2014