A five-second act involving the fastening of the chinstrap of a helmet may prove to be one worth your life, according to a recent survey of two-wheeler accidents.
The survey was conducted by the road safety wing of the Rotary International in consultations with neurosurgeons of five hospitals in and around Kochi.
The survey found that of the 18 deaths reported in these hospitals during the period between 2013 and May 2014, at least eight could be attributed to the non-compliance with the act of fastening the chinstrap or not doing it the right way.
“In all these cases, the helmet had dropped off from the heads of victims even before they had hit the ground,” said George John, chairman, road safety wing of Rotary International.
While the strict implementation of law has made the usage of helmets near total among two-wheeler riders, in many cases they are deprived of the benefits because the chinstrap is left unfastened. In fact, as many as 80 per cent of those who wear the helmet do not bother to fasten the chinstrap, the study found.
On a larger scale, at least 600 victims out of the 1,400 two-wheeler riders or pillion riders who died in accidents in the State during 2014 would have survived had it not been for their taking the chinstrap lightly.
“The need is for strict enforcement with regard to chinstrap,” Mr. John said.
80 per cent of those wearing helmet do not fasten chinstrap
Survey conducted in consultation with neurosurgeons
