The Hindu : Kerala News : Two-wheelers involved in 44% accidents in Ernakulam district

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Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007
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Two-wheelers involved in 44% accidents in Ernakulam district

Staff Reporter

Those selling second-quality helmets will be pulled up

BRISK BUSINESS: Branded and unbranded helmets in various colours, shapes and sizes are available in Kochi city, as the city police have plans to make helmets compulsory.

KOCHI: Two-wheelers were involved in 44 per cent of the accidents that took place in Ernakulam district during 2006.

This throws light on the need to enforce the helmet rule, which people say, will considerably reduce head injuries and thereby fatalities. Statistics available with the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) showed that two-wheelers were involved in 22,633 of the 41,645 accidents in the district during 2006.

Director of the agency T. Elankovan said that each day, 10 people die in road accidents in the State. “Of this, 25 per cent are two-wheeler riders, most of whom die because of head injuries. Government hospital records showed that a lion’s share of people who get admitted with head injuries and fractures were two-wheeler riders. Around 80 per cent of them were youth.

Three-fourth of the road-accident deaths occurred because of head injuries or the sudden shock that people suffer in vehicle crashes. Those who do not wear helmets have the highest chance of falling into a coma following accidents.

Mr. Elankovan said that apart from offering protection to the head, use of helmet fitted with visor protected one from excessive air pollution. It also filtered high-decibel horns. Light-weight helmets with air vents were best suited for Kerala climate. They should have ISI certification. On their part, two-wheeler manufacturers should provide provision to have holders to lock the helmets.

Ernakulam accounts for around one-fifth of the total number of accidents that take place in the State each year. Central Kerala recorded the highest two-wheeler fatality in the country and two-wheeler riders who commuted to the city daily from suburbs were most at risk of being involved in accidents.

Helmets mandatory

City Police Commissioner Manoj Abraham said that wearing helmets was mandatory, under the Motor Vehicles Rules. Motorists were being warned for the past three days.

Those who indulged in rash or drunken driving would have to pay penalty for not wearing helmet, he said.

Mr. Abraham said that criminal action would be taken against those who sold duplicate or sub-standard helmets.

Not all two-wheeler riders were happy though. Lavanya Verghese, a two-wheeler user, said, “I will wear the head gear for may be a month and give up once the enforcement of the rule wanes.”

George John, who filed a contempt of court petition against the Government on the issue, following which the High Court sought an explanation from the State Government, said: “Many people who had a second lease of life after accidents, thanks to their helmets, congratulated me for approaching the court on the issue.”

He said that he would approach the court again, seeking that speed governors and seat belts be made mandatory in cars and bigger vehicles. “It is not enough that passengers take precautions. Rules have to be enforced in a better way and road infrastructure improved,” said Mr. John.

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