50 percent of two-wheeler deaths due to helmet-less riding: Study

According to the report titled “Road Accident Analysis in Tamil Nadu March 2019”, out of the 978 persons killed in the accidents involving two-wheelers, 508 riders and pillion riders did not wear a helmet. “About 52 per cent of the death in two-wheelers were occurred due to non-wearing of helmets,” it said.

The report revealed that the highest number of death due to non-wearing of helmet happened at Kancheepuram (44 deaths), followed by Tiruvallur and Coimbatore (36).

Two-wheelers continue to contribute to the maximum number of accidents and fatalities in the State. The report has found that of the total 15,044 till March this year, accidents involving two-wheelers were the highest – 6,357 (42.26 per cent).

In 2018, two-wheelers were involved in 26,470 accidents in which 3,965 persons were killed. Of those who died, over 50 per cent did not wear helmets. In 2016, 72 per cent of fatality in two-wheeler accidents was due to non-wearing of helmets but this number came down to 52 per cent in 2017, as wearing helmets was made mandatory and police personnel penalised offenders.

An official from Transport and Road Safety department said they have been continuously carrying out awareness campaign on the importance of wearing helmets by both riders and pillion. “Police have fined 30,459 two-wheeler riders for not wearing helmets in 2018-19 (till February) while 12,353 riders were booked in 2017-18,” the official said.

The official said that the Transport Commissioner has instructed that the supply of the helmet to every buyer at the time of purchase of a new 2-wheeler by the manufacturer or dealer should be ensured by the RTOs and a report of this should be submitted to hisoffice every month.

According to the Central Motor Vehicle Act, rule 138 (4) (f) 1989, at the time of purchase of a two-wheeler, the manufacturer of the two-wheelers shall supply protective headgear, keeping in mind the specifications prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards.