Cops direct bike riders to drop unsafe fancy helmets
As ‘Rishiraj Singh Effect’ sets in, most two wheeler riders in the city have got their heads well covered. But, the issue doesn’t end there.
“The problem is what sort of a helmet many of them use,” said A P Remanan, sub-inspector, Traffic.
“Now, more than 90 per cent of the vehicle riders wear helmets. That means people are well aware of the law. The campaign on helmets did an excellent job, for people now understand the advantages of wearing a helmet. But, they still need to buy their helmets wisely,” he added.
The Traffic Police strictly advise vehicle riders to use only ISI-marked helmets of good quality. And they are on the lookout for fancy helmets.
“Many riders still use industrial safety helmets, German caps and a small variant of the regular helmet which does not cover the entire head. All these are against law,” said P V Mohanan, ASI, Traffic. “As a first step, we warn them against wearing such helmets and if they do not change even after repeated warnings, they will be fined,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jolly Job, proprietor, Jobson’s Helmet Shop on the Banerjee Road said there have not been any significant rise in sales even after the Motor Vehicles Department started taking strict action.
“Riders have already been using helmets. So there is no rush to buy new ones,” he says and added that people, however, has begun asking for ISI-approved helmets. The demand for German caps and small variants have plummeted after the high demands following the release of some films featuring such ones.”
He said helmets are available on a wide price range starting from Rs 350-Rs 400. The low price variants would not have the ISI certification. Although cheap ones won’t last longer than branded ones. Brands like Vega, Studds, Aerostar and Wrangler are the most sold ones. We also have foreign brands like LS2, a product preferred by youngsters,” said Jolly.
“We sell both the ISI-certified ones and the other variants. If we won’t give people what they ask for, they will go to the next shop. But if you are looking for a quality product lasting about three years, check whether it has got a genuine ISI mark and good-quality sponge coating on the inner side,” he added.
And if you are buying a helmet, also see that the vicer, the glass shield on the front of the helmet is a clear and transparent one, for police are also checking vicers with dark films, according to the officials.