Motorcyclists to wear helments of upgraded standards

New Delhi, May 4: Two-wheeler riders in the country will now have to wear standardised enhanced safety helmets as the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has made obligatory for motor cycle manufacturers to supply a helmet, confirming to the upgraded standards, along with the vehicle.

The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Transport Engineering Division of BIS, which was attended by the stakholders in the field of auotomobiles, Director General of Shipping, officials from the Vehicles Research amd Development Establishment, the Automobile Research Association of India and representatives of leading automobile manufacturers of the country here today.

Upgrading of helmets' standards has become obligatory in view of the latest changes in EC regulations to take care of safety aspects of two whealer riders, due to import and manufacture of high-speed motor cycles which are more prone to accidents in Indian traffic and road conditions.

The helmets manufacturers have to adopt and develop the global trade regulations which are acceptable world-wide.

India has been participating in the Working Group operating in Geneva to develop global standards and also signed the 1998 agreement in this respect.

UNI