GUWAHATI: The widespread use of non-ISI-certified helmets among two-wheeler riders in Guwahati has raised serious concerns over road safety and compliance with traffic regulations. Despite repeated awareness regimes, many riders continue to wear substandard helmets, putting their lives at risk.
As per Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms, all helmets sold in India must carry an ISI (Indian Standards Institute) certification to ensure adequate protection during accidents. However, a significant number of riders in Guwahati opt for cheap, lightweight, and non-ISI helmets, which fail to meet safety requirements and provide little to no impact resistance in case of crashes.
These may be attributed to negligence, cost or even lack of awareness among the people.
Talking to GPlus, a local from Ulubari said, “A helmet is a helmet, and I think most of us would not want to spend that much money on such a trivial item.”
But, stressing on the issue of safety, Manoj Das, a helmet and two-wheeler accessory shop owner said, “I cannot stress enough on selecting a good helmet with a proper safety certification mark. ISI is good but it is much better if the helmets have DOT or ECE certification. But, people are more consumed with the price side of things. However, such an investment which secures our safety, is one worth doing, I believe!”
Under the updates made to the Motor Vehicles Act 1998, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has not only made ISI helmets mandatory but also imposed a fine for anyone who is found with the helmet chin strap undone. If the helmet is ISI-certified but the strap is undone, the fine is said to be ₹1,000. If the helmet does not bear ISI marking, it will invite a fine of ₹1,000.
According to Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1998, “Every person, above four years of age, driving or riding a motorcycle of any class or description, shall, while in a public place, wear protective headgear conforming to the standards of Bureau of Indian Standards, and is securely fastened to the head of the wearer by means of straps or other fastenings provided on the headgear.”
Talking to GPlus, a senior traffic official said, “Fines and legal measures are imposed at times, but we as authorities cannot every time check the huge population of commuters violating the rules. This has to come from the riders themselves. Factors such as usability, pricing etc come into play here also.”
Investing in a quality, certified helmet should not be seen as an expense but as a life-saving necessity. Unless there is a collective shift in mindset, two-wheeler riders will continue to be vulnerable to severe head injuries and fatal accidents—a cost far greater than any monetary saving on a substandard helmet.