Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Penalize helmetless bikers' that was published in Newsband

Penalize helmetless bikers

Raigad traffic police stopped and warned may motorcyclists along the Mumbai-Goa highway, between Wadkhal and Pen, for not wearing the mandatory safety helmets on Saturday. This is one of the biggest road safety drives conducted by the traffic cops along the busy highways. The police did not issue challans or collect any fines. They just warned the offenders. The penalty is now a stiff Rs 500 per head for helmetless driving,

It is also often seen that bikers go 'triple seat' on a single motorcycle. This dangerous practice also needs to be stopped

Use of Helmets is a strategy for preventing head injuries caused by motorcycle crash or fall. Anyone who decides to ride a motorcycle must consider that wearing of helmets is the most effective strategy for preventing injuries from a crash or fall. It is very evident that a rider is very vulnerable in crashing or falling even though how knowledgeable and alert a rider he is. However, statistics will show that, despite repeated warnings and terrible stories about motorcycle and bicycle accidents most people still do not see the necessity and safety of wearing helmets.

Wearing of helmets is the responsibility of the person subjected to risk. To be aware of the risk is oftentimes a retraining experience, but it is the best routine to observe whether you are taking a short ride or go for distance on your bike. Meaning, the prescribed helmet should be worn every time you ride on your bike.

A study on the importance of wearing helmet was done at John Hopkins Medical School, which was recently published in the Journals of the American College of Surgeons. The study gave emphasis on the necessity of wearing a helmet and other appropriate safety gear every time a person operates a motorcycle. According to the study, bike riders who are consistent in wearing their helmets are twenty-two percent lesser prone to be victimized with cervical spine injury and wearing a helmet will prevent them from experiencing more fatal injuries. Riders wearing helmets are thirty-seven percent less probable to be killed in a motorcycle accident and sixty-four percent lesser chances of suffering from traumatic brain injury.

With the number of fatalities reported yearly in all states, it is evident that wearing of helmet is indeed one of the strategies to prevent head injuries that may eventually cause death during a motorcycle crash or fall. To protect the rider from fatal head injury, wearing of a reliable motorcycle helmet is crucial. The initial benefit of wearing motorcycle helmets is the protection it provides as they absorb the impact of a crash or fall. Scratches on arms and knees are easier to treat than a serious damage to the head that may cause death.

Whether the price is expensive or cheap motorcycle helmets do not only protect the head from injury, but they provide protection against strong wind, dust, and smoke. Too much wind and dust may harm the eyes that will make it difficult for the rider to have a good vision of the road.

One safety measure to ensure that your bicycle helmet will effectively protect you when you ride your bike is to occasionally check and inspect your helmet if it needs a repair or replacement. Check the exterior covering of your helmet it there are cracks or abrasion that reveals an impact.