The issue of wearing helmet is being discussed from the time immemorial. Though there cannot be a second opinion that wearing helmet saves life when accident occurs, it is being vehemently objected to by the public for the reason of inconvenience attached to it. There is also an argument that wearing helmet affects free flow of air to head causing severe damages to hair growth. It is also felt that once helmet is worn the riders audibility gets affected. Several persons oppose helmet for its shear inconvenience in taking it alongwith them wherever we go. There is also inconvenice in wearing helmet in the case of persons wearing glasses. With all these opposition, government, time and again makes it compulsory to wear helmet.
In 1989 the same situation arose. The government made wearing helmet compulsory. Public started wearing helmets. Riders without helmet were penalised by traffic police. But all of a sudden the rule was withdrawn. At that time one of my friend continued to wear helmet even after the rule was withdrawn. I asked him why he is wearing helmet still. For this he replied ” Rule is government’s Head is mine”
Government should make a wide propaganda to educate the public on importance of wearing helmet.
The story of 1988 is repeated once again. Helmet was made compulsory in Tamil Nadu last year and a deadline was fixed to abide by the Rule. As and when the ‘D’ day arrived there were huge demand for helmets from the public and on the last day there was nearly scramble for it and in some places prices even went higher. This clearly showed that the citizens are law abiding provided law is suitably enforced. Many honest citizens purchased helmets in order to comply with the government order. When the ‘D’ day arrived public in fact wore helmet. There was considerable compliance. But within a few days traffic police stopped taking action against the persons not wearing helmet. There was newspaper report that Chief Minister has asked the police department not to harass the public for not wearing helmet. From the very next day helmets were hard to be seen. This is especially so in Coimbatore.
Now nearly a year is over. All of a sudden Coimbatore Traffic Police have started penalising riders without helmet. From the reports published in various newspaper it is understood that the Police Commissioner has gone on record that there are many deaths due to absence of helmet.
It is better if the Commissioner answers the question that whether deaths are due to accidents or due to helmets?. What steps the government has taken to avoid accidents? There are many reports in newspaper about largescale corruption in RTO offices which issues driving licenses. Over speed, drunken driving, damaged roads, scant respect for traffic signals, use of airhorn, driving without knowing the road rules, driving while speaking over cell phone, overloads, powerful headlights are some of the reason for accidents.
It is the duty of the Police department to plug the loopholes and it is the duty of the government to provide necessary infrastructure and educate the public on safe driving. Enforcing agency should also be dutiful in discharging their duties.
If wearing helmet is good for public please enforce the Rule with letter and spirit. If it is felt that it is an irritant please scrap the rule. Don’t play cat and mouse game with public life.
Coimbatore Corporation Police Department has issued a pamphlet on Road Safety which is being distributed to the public for the past two days by stopping vehicles on the road. It contains 52 advises to the public on dos and donts of driving and road safety. This is laudable. But we are compelled to bring to the kind notice of the Police Department that two important thing is found omitted in the Pamphlet.
1. Please wear helmet while driving two wheelers. Please insist the pillion rider also to wear helmet.
2. Never ever use cell phone while driving. Do not attend any incoming call while driving. The call may be from Lord Yama.
It is surprising why the above two important advises were omitted in the pamphlet. Let us hope it is corrected at the earliest. Jai Hind.
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Jan 7, 2009 at 15:44:13
I agree with it. Traffic law keepers and makers should make sure that everyone abide the law.