Mangaluru: Whenever there was a move in the past to make wearing of helmets compulsory for two-wheelers, there was always resentment being from some quarters.
There were those who complained that they would lose hair. Women were worried about their hair-do and make-up. Some went to the extent to making a propaganda that the helmet-makers’ lobby had influenced the government.
But the government has not done enough to tell the public that it was under the supreme court’s order that it had to take the step. The apex court’s ruling had come out many years ago. For some reason or other, the implementation was being held over.
Many people are not aware that the state government had received about seven reminders about the order. Finally, when the court warned that the government would be hauled up for the contempt of court, it took hurried steps.
There is a big rush to buy helmets and there is a tendency among the riders to pick any substandard piece from the roadside vendors at lower prices. The safety aspect gets a backseat while saving money gets priority. Helmets not fulfilling the ISI specifications are being checked by the police.
A doctor points out that it is foolishness to oppose the helmet order. He is surprised that people who spend a big amount to buy screen-guards for their smartphones are not bothered about the protection of their heads.
As more and more awareness about the necessity of helmets is being spread, there are still riders who, once out of the ‘danger’ areas of police inspection, take their helmets off. Then they continue riding with the helmets in hand. After all, they want to be ‘noticed’ by their faces while riding in style.
Using one’s ‘head’ and wearing a helmet has already saved lives in many road mishaps during the past days. A rider in the city learnt this lesson the hard way earlier this week.
A sports car and a bike collided near the Padua High School grounds, as the rider was holding his helmet in the hand.
Eyewitnesses said that both the vehicles were speeding.
Harshit who was riding the bike with the helmet in his hand and he fell on the road. He is said to have sustained severe injuries and has been hospitalized. His condition is said to be critical.
The traffic police said that others would take it as a lesson and adhere to the helmet requirement order.
let them wear helmets with transparent screen so that their faces are visible-
if not there can be increased crime !