[ Sajith M ]

Had a little accident early in the morning (about 0510-0520) on Thursday (04 January 2006). Went over a speed breaker (that was not marked and had no lights around), and could not keep the bike under control when I landed after the little flight. The helmet bore the brunt of the fall and I remained more of less undamaged. The bike had a little damage, but nothing major. I believe the damage would have been worse had I been driving at a higher speed (was driving at about 30-40 kmph because it was so cold that I could not imagine being able to drive any faster)

Words of Wisdom:
1. Don’t Drive.
2. If you must drive, don’t drive on roads that have bad lighting.
3. If you must drive on roads with bad light, drive at 10kmph or less.

Note to my co-workers: I should (hopefully) be back on Monday (08 January 2006)

Posted under: On The Road/Random Observations
Tagged with: accident, bad lighting, bike, helmet, speed breaker

Could not help clicking while waiting for the light to go green. Near Sony World, Koramangala. Btw, that’s a Karizma - a bike that can make you feel you are not driving fast because it can do a 100kmph so effortlessly and (as an unfortunate side effect) also lead to a bad crash where a helmet might prove useful.

PS: The title came to my mind because the helmet covers the number plate so well that am sure it will survive an accident, not sure if the head will survive though.

Posted under: On The Road/Random Observations
Tagged with: head, helmet, number plate

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,

1. Is there anything to prove that helmets do actually bring down the number of serious injuries?
2. Will someone take count of injuries after this rule comes into effect, and repeal the law if its not working?
3. 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?
4. 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