Substandard Helmets Linked to Rise in Two-Wheeler Deaths

Substandard helmets sold openly on city roads are adding to the rising death toll among two-wheeler riders, officials have warned, asking motorists to use only Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certified protective gear.

According to transport authorities, many riders buy cheap helmets mainly to escape traffic fines, but they fail to check whether the gear meets safety norms. “A helmet is meant to save your life, not just to avoid a police case,” an official said, pointing out that low-grade helmets crack on impact and offer little protection in accidents.

Officials say the growing use of such helmets has become a key factor behind increasing fatalities in two-wheeler crashes. Roadside vendors continue to sell brightly coloured helmets fitted with fake ISI stickers, which attract unsuspecting buyers. “These may look like standard helmets, but most do not meet BIS safety norms,” another official said. A road safety activist added that vendors sell poor-quality helmets in broad daylight and that enforcement action against them remains weak.

The government has asked transport department teams to step up awareness drives to highlight the importance of certified helmets. “Motorists should buy only BIS-certified helmets carrying the genuine ISI mark,” an officer said. “A standard helmet will have an eight-digit Central Mark and Licence number printed on the back, which helps identify approved products.”

Officials also warned riders against choosing price over safety. “People try to save Rs. 500 by buying a cheap helmet,” an official said. “But even if they later spend Rs. 10 lakh on treatment after a severe head injury, a life may not be saved.”

The district has an estimated 1.91 million two-wheelers. While good-quality helmets cost between Rs. 1,200 and Rs. 3,500, low-grade ones sell for Rs. 350 to Rs. 650. Last year, 39 people died in accidents in which poor-quality helmets were identified as a contributing factor, officials said.