Thiruvananthapuram: Lack of enforcement, irritation and headache to the user, inconvenience in carrying them about and hindrance to hearing and vision have been found to be the main reasons why two-wheeler riders refrain from using helmets.

This was revealed in a study carried out by National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (Natpac) to determine the characteristics of helmet and non-helmet users, parameters of helmet choice and problems faced by two-wheeler riders in using the helmet in the cities of Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam.

It has been found that although many two-wheeler riders in the State have a helmet, they prefer not to wear them. A survey carried out as part of the study has found that 62 per cent of two wheelers in Thiruvananthapuram and 76 per cent in Ernakulam have helmets.

In Thiruvananthapuram, 67 per cent who had helmets were in the age group of 45 years and above, 62 per cent in the 35-45 age group, 63 per cent in the 25-35 age group and 43 per cent in the below 25 years category. As many as 84 per cent of those having helmets in Ernakulam were in the above 45 age group and 71 per cent in 35-45 age group.

"Two-wheeler riders should be motivated to use helmets at a younger age. A campaign should be launched to target youngsters and to make the purchase of helmet mandatory along with purchase of two-wheeler," says Chief Project Coordinator of Natpac Mahesh Chand.

Of the 62 per cent of two-wheeler rides with helmets in Thiruvananthapuram, only 30 per cent have used it occasionally or regularly. In Kochi, 64 per cent have used a helmet at some time or the other.

More males own as well as use helmets. In the State capital, 31 per cent of males use helmets compared to the 22 per cent females. In Kochi, 64 per cent males and 67 per cent females use helmets.

On the choice of helmet model, 55 per cent in Thiruvananthapuram preferred lightweight models with air vents, 34 per cent heavy models giving total protection, and 11, models with medium weight. However, in Ernakulam, 55 per cent preferred heavy helmet with total protection and 39 per cent, light-weight helmets with air vents.

It has been found that ownership of helmet increases with income and that people in the organised sector own more. Education also plays a key role in helmet use. In the capital, 70 per cent of professionals and 76 per cent of postgraduates use helmets. In Kochi, it was 84 per cent and 71 per cent respectively.

Ernakulam district accounts for 24 per cent of two-wheeler accidents that took place in 2004. Among the two-wheeler accidents that took place last year, 40 per cent were reported from Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts.

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