There's
going to be stirring of another Hornet's nest by imposing the helmet
rule; compelling one to wear the crash helmet while riding a
two-wheeler.
The rule was implied once but kept in abeyance owing to the
widespread protest from the riders. There is no dispute regarding the
element of safety involved; but it is the inconvenience factor that
matters for many and also the physical disorders that may get afflicted,
for some others.
In
tropical climate; where the humidity is high, there will be profuse
sweating of the head, which the synthetic covering inside the helmet
will add to, leading to sinusitis and other ENT problems. And worst are
the condition of our roads that wearing a helmet on ride is as good as
putting half a kilogram weight on one's head and jumping up and down
resulting in diseases of the spondyle.
Elaborating the cases of accidents; even people wearing helmets are
fatally knocked down such that it gives no cent percent protection to
head; and injury to other parts of the body too cannot be saved. So the
general question is that do we have to make all the people sick for the
sake of a possible grievous accident for some.
It
is ridiculous to note that pillion riders are exempted from wearing it;
while it can't be imposed for children owing to lack of helmets of
lesser weight and various sizes to suit their heads and necks. One
wonders why the neuro-surgeons arguing for helmets fail to see such
anomalies.
While the people who use the bikes less or never at all argue for
helmet, those who ride on two-wheeler regularly are against it. Here
sets in the inconvenience factor as to where to keep the object when not
in use? Perhaps bike manufacturing companies can think of designing
vehicles to keep helmets secured on to it and offer a pair of helmets as
freebies in future. Such a move will help to ensure the quality of the
helmets too.
As for the government it will be wise to implement the rule by making
it mandatory to purchase a pair of helmets along with two-wheeler than
to compel people to wear it; to satisfy the court ruling presently.
Calicut, J J Vellara
email: jjv(at)calicutnet.com
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