Lobby behind helmet rule?

Lobby behind helmet rule?
The helmet rule should be made compulsory for two-wheeler riders, considering the increasing number of accidents.
Deccan Herald

As more and more young girls and boys are riding bikes in the heavy traffic, fatalities due to head injuries can be avoided if helmets are used. It's a tragedy that many lives are being snuffed out because people are not wearing helmets.

A helmet, especially a full-faced one, also protects from pollution. Noise levels also get muffled to a great extent and skin too is protected.

As for the pillion rider, the issue is debatable. While helmet protection for them is equally important, it will be aesthetically difficult to accept women in saris donning helmets.

And then again, with families with one or two children riding along with the parents, It's going to be difficult for the whole family to wear helmets!

The State government is aware of the urgent need for helmets. But it seems to be trying to appease some lobby which is against it. I really wonder who are the people benefiting by obstructing it.

They do not seem concerned about the deaths on the roads. Probably because they think it always happens to someone else.

Pramila Rao

Good roads please

Before implementing the helmet rule, I think one should look at the main causes for accidents. It is because of unlevelled and dusty roads in Bangalore.

There is no proper illumination on roads, and road dividers are not maintained properly. Reckless driving, violation of lane discipline and speed driving are other reasons. These issues need to be tackled first.

If the Government implements corrective action, using the services of BMP and Traffic Police, the question of accident will not arise in the first place.

Narayan P S

Politics behind it

Wearing of helmets should be made compulsory for two-wheeler riders. The pillion riders should also wear helmet because even they face the danger of falling down and suffering head injuries.

The pillion rider will not be ready to react to the sudden impact of a collision as he/she will not be in tune with riding disturbances like braking and sudden change of course. Also, the way an Indian lady sits wearing the sari, she is totally unstable and prone to falling down at the slightest disturbance while travelling, leading to head injury. A silk sari might even make her slip from the back seat. I think the whole helmet controversy has arisen because political parties are interested in pulling down each other.

P S Thammanna

Give us roti, kapda and makaan

The basic responsibility of a Welfare State is to take care of roti, kapda and makaan, provide affordable healthcare and ensure equal opportunity to all. However, both the Union and the State government do not have the slightest clue on how to address these issues. Instead of addressing these problems, they are raking the helmet controversy. The Government should only educate the public to wear helmets, not impose it.

Captain M Selvaraja

WE INVITE RESPONSES

After years of deliberation, campaigns and protests, the rule to make helmets mandatory for two-wheeler riders has yet again hit a roadblock, with the State government deciding to extend the deadline by another month. As the new deadline stands at August 31, Deccan Herald invites readers to join the issue, and respond to the three big questions.

*Should helmets be made compulsory for

two-wheeler riders?

* Should pillion riders be covered under the rule as well?

*Why is the State government indecisive on implementing the rule?

Send in your responses (75-100 words each) to The Editor, Deccan Herald, 75, MG Road, Bangalore — 560 001 or email: editor@deccanherald.co.in