Mangaluru: Seems like every two-wheeler follows the new helmet rule only during day time and when the traffic cops are on duty. And during any other time nearly 95% of two-wheeler riders/pillion riders don’t wear helmets, they speed, ride three on the bike and so on- and this happens after the cops cease their duty, around 8-8.30pm- so between that time, wee hours and early morning you will see majority of the two-wheeler/pillion riders are on the streets without helmet. I am in total confusion, as to whether this new helmet rule imposed by the Supreme Court is just for name sake or for the safety of the riders. This morning I stood near Taj Mahal Restaurant, near Hampankatta circle- and between 6am-7am, I kept count of the two-wheeler riders who came to the restaurant for their morning breakfast-sorry to say that out of the 52 two-wheeler riders, only three wore helmets?
Doesn’t make any sense to me that many of the two-wheeler/pillion riders only wear the helmets during day time when cops are around, but in the absence of the traffic cops they break the rules. So the question arises here is that whether the rule to wear helmet is to protect yourself from head injuries or death through head injuries, or just to please the cops and avoid getting fined. With riders wearing helmets during day time and also when cops are present, it seems like accidents or death through accidents occur only during those times. How about night time or the wee hours or early mornings? Accidents could take place during these hours also, and why are two-wheeler riders/pillion riders not serious about wearing their helmets. Why don’t we have traffic cops on night duty to crack down on these violators? I guess our city cops give a damn about it-they would rather take a nap in the station than be on the streets to check on offenders.
Last night between 9pm and 11pm and also between 5.30am -6.15am I have witnessed that about 95-98% of two-wheeler riders/pillion riders where not wearing helmets- in some cases I saw the riders keep their helmet on the mirror, or around their arm, or anywhere except their stupid little head All I can say is that these guys are a special kind of stupid, aren’t they? They somehow find the time in their busy schedule of daily life, and buy a cheap non-ISI helmet. Oh but they are too busy to actually put it on when they are riding! So they leave it lying somewhere on the bike, only to put it on when they see a cop in the distance. Many a times even cops don’t wear helmets, and that is just shameful on so many levels.
Many of these Einsteins mostly ride a bike only to show-off, and that purpose is entirely defeated if they are wearing a helmet, since girls can’t see their deformed faces and fall in love with them. To add more spice to the dish, they wear brightly colored headphones, talk while they ride and listen to Bon Jovi/Linken Park or Honey Singh/or Bollywood tunes when not talking. There’s a reason why wearing a helmet is mandated by law, and the reason is that no one would like little pieces of your brain to mess up their paint jobs. I personally don’t give a damn about you not wearing a helmet, hitting a wall and splitting open down center. What I do care about is not to see your blood stains on your bike/scooter or on the road, and may be come to the mortuary to make a report after your post-mortem paperwork is done.
Looking at the scenes as how two-wheeler riders move around, many folks wear helmets only to avoid fine by the police and not for protection. That’s simple. Just like it is with so many other laws, people wear helmet because it is mandated by law, not because it saves them. Whatever, riders in Mangaluru are wearing funny helmets for riding bikes, some are using the Civil Worker’s helmet for riding bikes. Ha.. Others wear something on their head that looks like “helmet”. “If both driver and pillion have proper crash helmets with visor and travelling at 30kph in residential areas then they are chain snatchers. Beware!” joked one of my friend when I asked him why he and his friend were not wearing a helmet. Funny but a stupid and ignorant answer, I guess.
I believe most people feel invincible until something terrible happens to them. I personally know friends who could have reduced the extent of damage by simply securing the strap on their helmets! Use safety during your respective rides, stay safe. So, come on all you dare-devil two-wheeler riders, have a common sense! Remember the helmet rule to wear helmet is not just for name sake- it has been implemented/enforced by SC/Government and law enforcement for your safety and your precious life.
So whether it is day or night or wee hours or early morning, make sure you wear helmet, and not just when traffic cops are seen on the road. And my kind request to the concerned traffic authorities-“Please designate police force at night time, since there is lot of rash and reckless two-wheeler riders roaming the streets who put not only their lives in danger but also citizens. We need Police need to crack down on violators not only during day time but also at night and beyond. Thank You”.
Alfie..you have captured the harsh reality I too have seen riders sans helmets or removing hemets while enrying lanes.Also going triples and use of mobiles is a common feature
We Indians enjoy breaking the law. the colleages and friends cheer for the achievement.
So also, we honor every person who become rich by illegal means.
More can be said. This is our country
Alfie, I am with you. What is your suggestion to those who want to jump into well or see such people who try to jump into sea. There are many rules and regulations but who cares. They take their own responsibility.
It is pity to see that the cop and court are focusing on such silly subject rather than other serious issues. Whether any realistic study conducted in India about the usage of helmet that prevented bike rider’s death? I think it is government’s move together with the court to give boom to helmet industry.