Riders opt for cheap helmets despite risks

HYDERABAD: The trend of using non-certified helmets is a dangerous one, say authorities, who are, nevertheless, unable to take action against motorists who use open-face helmets, half-helmets and poor-quality ones not certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards, risking their lives.

While helmets are important to safeguard one’s head and skull in case of an accident, riders are blaming exorbitant prices for certified helmets due to which they are opting for cheaper ones.

“A basic helmet starts at Rs 1,500 and goes up to Rs 8,000, depending on the brand,” said V.D. Philip, a biker, who bought a helmet for Rs 2,000. “Certain brands and types of helmets can cost up to Rs 1 lakh, but are mostly used by racers.”

“A decent non-branded, roadside helmet cost me Rs 300 and kept me safe for more than two years, even during a minor accident,” said a rider who recently bought a BIS-certified helmet.

Uncertified helmets are widely sold at Uppal, Mettuguda-Tarnaka stretch, Nampally, near Trimulgherry RTA, and along highways, among other places.

Authorities maintain they are actively encouraging people to ditch the non-standardised helmets for a safer riding experience. “There is no way to find out if a helmet is BIS-certified from afar. A traffic cop will have to manually stop every rider to look for the BIS mark and that's a tedious solution to the existing problem,” said T. Srinivas Rao, deputy commissioner of police (traffic), Cyberabad.

 

According to the Cyberabad annual report for 2022, 44 of the 415 motorcycle deaths that took place last year were of riders who were wearing helmets. However, the traffic police could not confirm whether the helmet certification is checked after a fatality.

BIS-certified helmets offer optimal protection to the skull from injuries, blood clots, and related damages. A good helmet also has good chin strap retention qualities and is resistant to external penetration

Riders blame exorbitant prices for not opting for certified helmets

Rs 1,500 is the starting price for a certified helmet

Rs 300 is the starting price for a low-quality helmet

Uncertified helmets are widely sold at Uppal, Mettuguda-Tarnaka stretch, Nampally, near Trimulgherry RTA, and along highways

“There is no way to find out if a helmet is BIS-certified from afar. A traffic cop will have to manually stop every rider to look for the BIS mark and that's a tedious solution to the existing problem,” -- T. Srinivas Rao, deputy commissioner of police (traffic), Cyberabad