Helmet Rule comes into effect
To give you a quick summary, If you are driving a two wheeler (irrespective of engine size and bhp) in Bangalore City limits, you are supposed to wear a helmet. For now the pillion riders don’t need to wear a helmet.
As a person who always wears a helmet while riding, you would expect me to perhaps welcome this move..
And why as a person who anyways wears a helmet, am I opposed to this new regulation you might ask?
The biggest argument given in favor of wearing helmets is that it will reduce serious head injuries. And I sort of agree with it. However,
- Is there anything to prove that helmets do actually bring down the number of serious injuries?
- Will someone take count of injuries after this rule comes into effect, and repeal the law if its not working?
- Is it not also a proven fact that in most two wheeler accidents, it is the pillion rider who ends up being more seriously injured?
- Won’t improving the road conditions (potholes, bad lights etc) help in reducing accidents and (subsequent) injuries more than imposing helmets?
And why do our governments (the ones we are supposed to elect as adults) treat us the same way as some kindergarten kids. Why do we need to be told what to wear and what not to wear? [rant]What to drink, what not to drink; when to drink, when not to drink; when to sleep, when not to sleep (sorry, looks like we don’t have a law about the last one yet)[/rant]
The beauty of this rule is that it ignores the causes for deaths and injuries (bad roads), and focuses on the remedies (helmets). And somehow it makes it look like our law makers don’t think that citizens can think for themselves. Ah, well…
Posted under: City Life/Bangalore/Uncategorized
Tagged with: accidents, bad roads, Bangalore, deaths, head injuries, helmet, injuries, road conditions, two wheeler
November 2nd, 2006 at 05:19:12
Helmets decrease the severity of injury, the likelihood of death, and the overall cost of medical care. They are designed to cushion and protect riders’ heads from the impact of a crash. Just like safety belts in cars, helmets cannot provide total protection against head injury or death, but they do reduce the incidence of both. So I do appreciate this law. Its not about what government asking us to wear its about our own health, some time its good to take some one else advice so in this case government is right atleast in my opinion.
November 2nd, 2006 at 12:31:19
Ekawaaz, I agree with you that helmets are good. My problem is why can’t people choose if they want to wear a helmet or not. I mean why can’t people look at the pros and cons and decide for themselves…
November 4th, 2006 at 17:56:20
Sure.. the administrators would be better of - taking a closer look at what ’causes’ accidents. Invariably - bad pot holed roads, dull (not illuminated roads) - and crazy yellow number plated vehicles.
Complete agree on - not making it mandatory.
But oh well - populist and easy way out - is what politicians seek.
November 27th, 2006 at 13:30:43
Hi,
Will someone help me understand this,from when on Bangalore,officialy bengaluru,for the records,newspapers,addresses ?
Thanks
November 27th, 2006 at 21:22:06
Jaya, Bangalore officially became Bengalooru on 01 November 2006. The official records should now be saying Bengalooru. As for the address it does not matter, you can write either and you won’t have a problem. It will take a few years for Bangalore to become Bengalooru (if at all), and some people (like me) would probably continue to say Bangalore for a long long time :-)