Visakhapatnam: Helmets are crucial for the safety of two-wheeler riders, yet approximately 30% of motorists are opting for substandard helmets rather than those approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). These cheaper alternatives put riders' lives at risk despite their lower cost.

In Andhra Pradesh, the failure to wear helmets has had severe consequences. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways reported that 3,042 two-wheeler users, including 970 pillion riders, lost their lives in 2022 due to not wearing helmets. This negligence accounted for around 37% of the total road fatalities in the state.

Despite ongoing awareness campaigns about helmet use, many motorists continue to disregard safety measures. While stringent enforcement has led to over 70% of two-wheeler riders complying with helmet regulations, some are still using low-quality, non-ISI-marked helmets to avoid detection.

These helmets, costing between ₹400 and ₹600, are significantly cheaper than ISI-marked helmets, which range from ₹1,500 to ₹3,000.

Senior traffic officers emphasize the risks associated with using non-ISI helmets. "It's concerning that some motorists choose cheaper, low-quality helmets over certified ones, neglecting the serious safety risks involved," said a senior traffic officer. 

GC Raja Ratnam, Deputy Transport Commissioner of Vizag, noted the enforcement challenges: "While traffic police and Road Transport Authority (RTA) personnel are tasked with ensuring helmet use, they lack the means to immediately identify non-BIS helmets from a distance. This requires manual inspection, which is time-consuming."

Although the Union government mandates that all helmets must bear the ISI mark, there is no effective regulation or penalties for using non-certified helmets.

As a result, some riders still use inferior open-face and half-helmets, which can be fatal in the event of an accident.

Srinivasa Rao, a senior traffic police officer, reiterated the ongoing efforts to address the issue: "We are actively booking cases against riders not wearing helmets and continue to educate the public on the importance of using ISI-marked helmets for their safety."

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