Thursday, October 01, 2009

The Helmet Campaign

Fellow blogger Shahid Mukadam and I had a conversation on facebook recently on some nuances of blogging when he ventured to tell me of a tag he was creating! Not a fan of tags, I told him of how minimal tags should be part of ones blogs as they often do not elicit a good response, besides deter the reader from taking good note of the content, or so I believe! But, minutes later, when he told me the subject of his tag, I gave it a serious thought, enough to create a post out of it!


With over 1.3 lakh road accidents India tops the world accidents list! Here are some ominous facts pertinent to two-wheeler accidents in India:

Head injury due to two-wheeler accidents is the sixth leading cause of death in India (one death every 4 minutes).

120,000 head injury deaths occur annually in India, from two-wheeler accidents alone.

5 to 10 million of the population have had head injuries.

70% of head injuries are preventable, and occur due to negligence and ignorance.

Statistics never reflect the agony and misery faced by the individual family when the breadwinner is critically injured or dies.

Studies have shown that when helmet use is voluntary, it is used by 40-50 %; when compulsory, it is almost 100 %. Only 8% really have objection to using helmets - others don't use it because it is "not compulsory."

Two-wheeler riders are five times more likely to be killed in an accident than car or bus passengers. This probability goes up by 100% if one is not wearing a helmet.

Rs. 2,500 crore (1% of Indian GDP) is the annual loss due to road accidents.

So, any of that is enough reason to wear a helmet, if you are riding a two-wheeler! Nothing precedes the importance and value of your life!

And to lighten the tension, me being a non-rider, will rather wear one to prevent the thundering blows of my wifey! So much for the poor, meek husband! :)

Footnotes:

Road Accidents in India - A database

Image Courtesy - Asia Injury Prevention Foundation

41 comments:

  1. Indeed,It took a freak accident for me to realise the importance... It incidentally happened the day I was wearing one... and it cracked... since that day.. Iv'e never ridden a crotch rocket without one..and well In uniform its cumpulsory...

    And after wearing Iv'e realised... They look better.. than a naked head really !

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  2. Lol 2 wearing helmet for the wife.. :) n u need a totally diff kind of helmet for girlfriends..;)

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  3. We never really understand the importance of helments..that too good ones..not the road side wallan which we get for 50 bucks!!

    nice post mate!!

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  4. Helmet had once saved the life of my younger brother! I am greatful to this armour!

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  5. I never heard from helments !!!!
    Very touching story for me ;(
    (@^.^@)

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  6. And women are exempted from wearing helmets if they aren’t riding and occupying the pillion unlike men.. sometimes I shudder when I see husband-biwi-bachcha on a two-wheeler and only husband sporting a helmet as if the other two have no head ..

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  7. Informative post. And even helmets cant save us from wifes/girlfriends :P

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  8. Here it's compulsory to wear a helmet. A bit hot in the summer, but definitely needed!

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  9. I think two wheelers are more at risk from other drivers today even if they were a helmet or not.

    Wearing a helmet is a must if one rides a two wheeler!!

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  10. The first thing that comes to my mind when talking about helmets is exactly what Aria had commented...as if women and children do not have heads.More than that of wearing I think it is the problem of carrying it wherever you go that deters people from wearing helmets.

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  11. Those statistics are worrying...
    I was never a fan of helmets... but wearing it had some advantages like your face is less grimy after a ride, and with the visor on you have less dust coming in to your eyes. it became a habit after that. everyone who rides should wear a helmet... including the pillion rider.

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  12. I am very glad that you have made a post out of the tag.....it is very necessary that all of us become more aware of these stats....gr8 work man

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  13. Its a old post from me
    its real art there is a book from all painted cats :)

    http://anya-kareltje.blogspot.com/2009/05/wordless-wednesday-cat-art.html

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  14. A very good tag to spread message. helmet cause much prevention from head injure in accident, but the simple exception to it let way great exit.

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  15. Even if I forget to wear clothes, I wouldnt forget my helmet ! thats the case with me :D :D :D

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  16. What a great post I agree with you absolutely!

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  17. Samby

    Better safe than be sorry I suppose!

    And yes – for girlfriends, one would need a Kevlar make on the head. I do agree that helmets won’t do!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  18. Rahul

    Maybe the law isn’t too serious here! Unlike those of European nations!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  19. Neeraj

    Am glad that your brother came back unscathed – reason enough to be a big fan of the device!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  20. Bharath K

    Yes – the number of incidents are on the rise and only making helmets compulsory can make things curb fatalities!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  21. Anya

    Thanks! Glad you found it informative!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  22. Aria

    Very valid point! I’m of the opinion that helmets are to be mandated for pillions as well!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  23. Aditya

    Thanks! Right you are – even helmets can’t save you from girlfriends or wives! 

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  24. Unsure Ascetic

    Thanks very much! Am glad you found it so!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  25. Pedro

    Muchas gracias por la información! Y también por la visita!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  26. Peter

    I do understand that such is the case in most European nations! Thankfully!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  27. Survivor

    No doubt! Helmets must be mandated for two wheelers!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  28. Old Monk

    Aria did bring up a very valid point – one that is seen widely and still ignored largely! Perhaps yes, more than wearing, it’s the carrying part that’s worrying – but then a small price to pay for one’s safety!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  29. AJ

    Indeed – worrying statistics!

    And trust me – there can only be advantages of wearing them – besides the heat and the messy hair. But small price to pay, isn’t it?

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  30. Shahid

    Thanks very much! For the inspiration as well!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  31. Anya

    Hilarious! I couldn’t help laughing out loud and showing it to a few of my colleagues as well!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  32. Jeevan

    Yes – there perhaps is nothing more precious than life itself! And hence to safeguard it becomes ones primal duty!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  33. Vimmuuu

    Good! I’m glad you give importance to safety!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  34. Marie

    Thanks very much! Glad you found it interesting!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  35. hmmm.....i have seen a bike accident on ECR road in chennai last week.The fellow was didn't wear helmet and he was dead on the spot coz of head injury.Our people will never learn anything,what to do

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  36. Anish

    Thats sad! And perhaps more reason why helmets need to be mandated.

    Our people will never learn!

    Rakesh

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  37. Once I was driving without helmet as it was not mandatory in Chennai. But these days I compulsorily wear it - Even if it is not your fault, someone might hit you accidentally! and there is always a chance for that!

    Destination Infinity

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  38. DI

    Better safe than be sorry, isn't it? Glad you give precedence to safety

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  39. Wearing helmet makes me feel like racer...or like police of minority report!
    I drive faster only when i wear helmet..he he!

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  40. Sri

    Lol! At least you wear one and thats important!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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