For Your Safety, Government To Come Out With New Standard For Heavier Helmet For Bikes

The government would soon come out with one more standard for two-wheeler helmets to cater to the need of heavier and superior quality head gears meant for driving at higher speed.

This will be in addition to the already notified standard for helmets that can weigh up to 1.2 kg and meet the prescribed norms, though the implementation date of this has been extended twice.

BCCL/Representational Image

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) had notified the norm after a government appointed multi-disciplinary panel had recommended to make the helmets lighter by 300 grams and make their airer to make them more user-friendly. But some of the players importing higher quality standards that meet the European norms, which are heavier as well, had objected to the weight restriction set by BIS.

¡°We should not deny the sale of a superior quality helmet, if it's safe. So, there is nothing wrong in going for another standard. However, anyone importing helmets from outside will have to get the BIS certification to sell them in India. BIS certification is not possible unless we have a notified standard,¡± said a government official.

BCCL/Representational Image

Sources said this issue of allowing heavier helmets in Indian market has been the one of the reasons behind the delay in government issuing Helmets (Quality Control) Order, which would make it mandatory for all helmet manufacturers to obtain BIS certification for their products. Sale of non-BIS helmet would be an offence.

For years, road safety experts and trauma care professionals have pushed for the ban on sale of non-BIS helmets. Official data show that the number of people dying in road accidents due to non-wearing of helmet increased to 35,975 in 2017 as compared to 10,135 during the previous year. However, as of now there is no data available for how many two-wheeler occupants die in accidents for wearing poor quality helmets.