Steps to make helmets

New Delhi, May 7 (UNI) Escapades of Bollywood actor John Abraham post 'Dhoom' and cricketer M S Dhoni on monstrous bikes may have inspired today's youth taking fancy to such vehicles in a big way but it has certainly caught the attention of the authorities in taking some appropriate 'protective' measures.

While the Central Motor Vehicles Rules made it obligatory for two-wheeler manufacturers to supply a helmet that conformed to BIS standard along with the vehicle, Bureau of Indian Standards updated its helmet quality standard for the safety of two-wheeler riders in view of import and manufacture of high-speed motorcycles that were more accident prone in Indian traffic and road conditions.

BIS felt that in view of trade liberalisation many items were being dumped in our country that were critical to safety requirements of automobiles. In view to check the same, many such items were being considered for mandatory certification through CMVR-Transport Safety Committee working under the union Surface Transport Ministry.

Then even as the government decided to make it compulsory from March 16 for the two-wheeler manufacturers to provide helmet at the time of the sale of the vehicles and issue a notification in the regard, the Delhi High Court refused to stay it saying there was no need to stay the notification as it was in good interest and for the safety of the public.

The All India Helmet Manufacturers Association had moved the court saying though the government's initiative was commendable as it aimed to encourage use of helmets by two-wheeler users, it should have emphasised on enforcing the existing road traffic rules and regulations across the country.

It was ironical that in some states traffic rules to wear a helmet while riding were being implemented very strictly, but in some other states they were not implemented at all. Making it compulsory for two-wheeler manufacturers to supply helmets along with their vehicles would put small manufacturers/sellers out of business and that was not the way to solve the problem, AIHMA said.

Though the government aimed at effective implementation to protect lives of the riders, it actually imposed 100 per cent restriction on the small manufacturers to supply and sell helmets, it stated.

The association representing 22 manufacturers across the country claimed that due to the notification, about 5,000 helmet manufacturers in the national capital alone would have to wind up their age-old business.

The notification that was as a result of an amendment to the CMVR would completely choke and finish entire supply chain of helmet manufacturers and monopolise the industry heavily in favour of two-wheeler manufacturers by vesting in them the sole and exclusive right to sell helmets without giving choice to consumers to purchase such headgear, it alleged.

On the one hand, it was pointed out that without monopolising the trade, helmet safety standards could be strengthened irrespective of who made or sold them.

The government on the other hand argued that the notification would compel two-wheeler manufacturers to provide proper headgear with their vehicles, which would ensure that the riders wore standardised helmets. This would in turn protect them from head injuries. Such injuries led to the maximum number of fatalities in accidents involving two-wheeler riders.

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