Government Planning Crack Down on Substandard Bike Helmets to Enhance Road Safety
Pune : In a significant move to enhance road safety, the central government is planning to crack down on substandard bike helmets across the country. With the alarming rise in road accident fatalities, particularly involving two-wheelers, this initiative aims to reduce deaths and injuries caused by inferior quality helmets.
Over the years, the number of victims in road accidents has been increasing steadily. Recognising the urgency of the situation, the government has already made helmets mandatory for both the rider and the pillion passenger on two-wheelers. Despite this, the widespread sale of substandard helmets continues to pose a significant threat to road safety.
The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs has taken decisive action by instructing states to clamp down on the sale of non-ISI-certified helmets. In a letter to the states, the ministry directed district collectors to target those selling helmets without ISI registration. The letter highlighted that helmets sold without the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification are a leading cause of fatalities in road accidents.
Immediate action is required against manufacturers and sellers of helmets without BIS licenses and fake ISI marks, the letter stated. District collectors have been individually instructed to launch drives against the production and sale of substandard helmets. The ISI mark, indicating conformity to Indian standards set by the BIS, is crucial for ensuring the quality and safety of industrial products, including helmets.
Consumers are now urged to check for ISI certification when purchasing helmets. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in action against both sellers and buyers. This measure aims to ensure that only helmets meeting rigorous safety standards are available in the market.
India, with the highest number of two-wheelers globally, has made it mandatory for both the rider and the passenger to wear helmets. Despite these regulations, the country continues to witness a high number of road accidents involving two-wheelers. According to the Union Transport Ministry, 25,228 people lost their lives in 63,115 road accidents in 2022, with two-wheelers being the primary cause in most cases.
The data shows a worrying trend, with 2024 witnessing a 20.4% increase in road accidents and a 10.7% increase in fatalities compared to the previous year. In light of these figures, the central government is planning stringent measures against substandard helmets in the country.
