6,502 fatalities due to helmet-less rides in Tamil Nadu

According to the data obtained from EMRI services, 6,502 people died in two-wheeler mishaps as they were not wearing helmets indicating that most motorists flout the helmet-rule. Of this number, around 3,253 people were reported dead on the spot.

“Head injuries are the most common cause of injuries incurred that leads to the death of the person. In a majority of these cases, the riders were not wearing a helmet which could have considerably brought this number down. Bike accidents are a common occurrence in our city and despite the police’s best efforts, many motorcyclists decide to ride without the protection of a helmet,” said B Prabhudoss, regional manager, 108 ambulance service.

While wearing a helmet, the rider suffers mild to moderate injuries but when not wearing helmet, the brain usually suffers from cortical brain injuries. “A brain injury causes internal haemorrhage increasing more pressure on the brain and squeezing it. Increased pressure damages the stem and leads to death. The increased pressure on brain is immediately risky, which is not the case in other kinds of injuries. A head injury usually leads to trauma which can lead to loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes,” said neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Dr Joy Varghese.