Two-wheeler riders are definitely snapping up helmets in the run-up to the High Court-stipulated July 1 deadline, but quite a few are holding back or opting for cheaper (and spurious) products, say automobile accessory dealers in the city.
“We have been getting more customers in the past five days,” D.J. Venkatesh Durai, proprietor, DJ Automobiles, told The Hindu . “But many people are still waiting to see if the rule will be enforced strictly this time or whether it will get relaxed eventually, before they buy a helmet.”
The new order’s stipulation on the use of ISI-certified helmets is a welcome addition, Mr. Durai said. “Users should understand that a good quality fibreglass helmet will not break in an accident, but only compress when it strikes a hard surface. Many people who buy helmets from platform vendors don’t realise that they are paying for plastic headgear that breaks under stress,” he said.
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A branded helmet costs anywhere from Rs. 450 to Rs. 4,000, depending on the features. “Young riders are beginning to buy helmets to keep safe, and to use it as a fashion accessory,” Mr. Durai said. “We are beginning to print the ISI patent number and brand name of the helmet on our bills to help the two-wheeler riders and the authorities to ensure the new rule’s implementation,” he added.
“We are getting around 40 to 50 queries every day, but after asking for the price, customers seem to prefer the roadside shops,” V. Shahul Hameed of Nisha Helmets said. “Many people complain that the helmet makes them sweat and blocks their vision, but this is not true of the standardised headgear,” he said. “The design of the ISI-certified brands is scientifically sound and is supposed to help the motorist.” These days, it is possible to get helmets with air vents and many other safety features, albeit at a higher price, he added.
With the number of two-wheelers going up every year, the only way ahead for motorists is to use a good helmet and stay safe, said Shahul Hameed.
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