Riders go for cheap helmets to evade fine

Close on the heels of the metros, police on Wednesday made it mandatory for two-wheeler riders to wear helmets in the Vellore district.

While a majority of riders have begun wearing helmets, many remain unconvinced and are waiting to see what is the next move of the enforcing authorities.

Many say this is not new to people of the district, with the law being enforced on many occasions in the past. The last time was during SP N Arivuselvam’s tenure, in 2007. But soon it lost its significance. However, in recent times, it has been made mandatory for police personnel to wear helmets.

Spot fine for the violators, initiated by the new SP Eswaran, created some panic among riders here. While those who had purchased helmets recently have begun to wear them, many preferred to carry it with them instead of wearing it.

While most youngsters avoided wearing a helmet, their elderly counterparts like doctors, professors, bank and government employees wore it.

A cross section of riders, however expressed difficulties in choosing good helmets. They pointed out that it was very difficult to identify those that are truly ISI certified. The district is flooded with spurious helmets and we are not sure whether they are safe or not, people argued. They also pointed out that there was no institution, which could screen the helmets and certify them.

Many were also swayed by the price factor, without taking into consideration the quality. The buyers appeared to be undeterred about the specifications required such as material, make, finish, weight and strength. “I am buying a helmet not because of safety but to evade a fine,” said 45-year-old Subramani, a petty shop owner, adding that he did not require a very expensive helmet while riding a moped.

The sale has picked up in the last two days. While branded ones cost between `750 and `1,000, a helmet can be priced up for as little as `300 to `700 from street vendors. Social activist R Chandrasekaran said district administration should seize fake helmets. “This is a question of life and death and there must be some quality check on these helmets.”