Need to enforce helmet rule among two wheeler riders in city

Kochi
Two-wheelers were involved in 44 per cent of the accidents that took place in Ernakulam district during 2006. This throws light on the need to enforce the helmet rule, which people say, will considerably reduce head injuries and thereby fatalities. Statistics available with the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) showed that two-wheelers were involved in 22,633 of the 41,645 accidents in the district during 2006.
Statistics
Director of the agency T. Elankovan said that each day, 10 people die in road accidents in the State. “Of this, 25 per cent are two-wheeler riders, most of whom die because of head injuries. Government hospital records showed that a lion’s share of people who get admitted with head injuries and fractures were two-wheeler riders. Around 80 per cent of them were youth.
Three-fourth of the road-accident deaths occurred because of head injuries or the sudden shock that people suffer in vehicle crashes. Those who do not wear helmets have the highest chance of falling into a coma following accidents.
Head Protection
Mr. Elankovan said that apart from offering protection to the head, use of helmet fitted with visor protected one from excessive air pollution. It also filtered high-decibel horns. Light-weight helmets with air vents were best suited for Kerala climate. They should have ISI certification. On their part, two-wheeler manufacturers should provide provision to have holders to lock the helmets.
Ernakulam accounts for around one-fifth of the total number of accidents that take place in the State each year. Central Kerala recorded the highest two-wheeler fatality in the country and two-wheeler riders who commuted to the city daily from suburbs were most at risk of being involved in accidents.