Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Helmet rule

First helmet wearing was made compulsory for all riders in the six corporations of Tamil Nadu. Then Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi instructed the officials concerned to go soft on them while enforcing the rule. By then, 90 per cent of the riders had already started using the helmet. Then came the most damaging relaxation — women and children riding the pillion need not wear helmets if they did not wish to. Compare this with the laws in most western countries where children are not allowed to travel in the front seat of a car. Today, many two-wheeler riders are going around without helmets under the full gaze of policemen. The rule is so ambiguous nobody really knows where we stand.

Aparna Sundaram,
Chennai

Are the lives of women and children not precious? Why expose them to a greater risk? The rule must be applicable to all. Children who wear helmets will continue to do so as adults. In many countries, even cyclists are required to wear helmets, though there are separate lanes for them on roads.

Capt. V.S. Ghulati (retd.),
Coimbatore

When safety of the rider is involved, how can the government make an exemption? Even if it received representations from the public requesting that the rule be relaxed, it should have kept the safety aspect foremost.

Sangeetha Rajeesh,
Chennai

The helmet rule continues to take twists and turns with the government issuing notification for its strict enforcement one day and relaxing the norms the next day. While the government's concern to ensure the safety of two-wheeler riders is understandable and commendable, it needs to improve the condition of the roads. The move can certainly prevent accidents thereby saving precious human lives.

B. Suresh Kumar,
Coimbatore

Pillion riders are at greater risk during accidents. Wearing the helmet may cause temporary discomfort but it will certainly protect riders from grave head injuries.

S. Nagarajan,
Bangalore

That helmets are essential safety devices is accepted. If women and children have some difficulty in wearing them, the solution lies in redesigning them rather than dispensing with the basic need.

A. Krishnamurthy,
Chennai

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