Helmet makers call for stricter helmet-law enforcement

The Two-Wheelers Helmet Manufacturers Association has requested more strict enforcement towards making helmet usage mandatory. The Association says that it has been proactive in taking up the issue of helmet safety on Indian roads.

“Urbanisation has led to doubling in traffic fatalities in the past few years with the number of deaths around 3,00,000 per year as per WHO report. Most people affected are pedestrians and two wheeler users,” said Rajeev Kapur, president, Two Wheelers Helmet Manufacturers Association and MD, Steelbird Hi-Tech India while sharing his thoughts on National Road Safety Week on the sidelines of SIAM's seminar.

The Association has said that it welcomes the move made by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) of issuing the draft notification for bringing the two-wheeler helmet into the BIS mandatory certification list and implementing the new standard IS4151:2015 – the India-specific helmet standard. However, the body feels that there is need to further take corrective measures to reduce fatalities.

"Notification issued by MoRTH on bringing two-wheeler helmets in mandatory BIS list needs to be gazetted immediately. Awareness alone will not work. Strict enforcement is required. The government should make helmets mandatory across India,” said the manufacturers' association.

The association further requested MoRTH to bring in the rule for all OEMs to provide helmets with a two-wheeler as per the motor vehicle act; the same is done by few companies at the moment. In addition to this, the Association says that two-wheeler manufacturers should supply a protective headgear at the time of purchase which conforms to the specifications prescribed by the Bureau of India standard under act 1986.

The industry body estimates that the minimum investment to meet the demand of all the two-wheeler users in India will be around Rs 6,000 crore. This amount is inclusive of working capital; and the time frame required would be minimum two-three years. The organisation urges manufacturers and other companies to come forward and invest in this segment.