Biplab Das 
A recently released report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) highlights a dire need for stricter enforcement of helmet standards as road accidents claimed over 50,000 lives in 2022. The report, titled ‘Road Accidents in India – 2022,’ indicates that 71.3% of these fatalities were drivers, with 28.7% being passengers.
Rising fatalities and injuries
The report underscores a 9.4% increase in road accident fatalities and an 11.9% year-on-year surge in accidents. Notably, the number of people injured in road accidents escalated by 15.3% in 2022 compared to the previous year.
Two-wheelers continue to top accident charts
For the second consecutive year, two-wheelers remained the highest contributor to accidents and fatalities. In contrast, light vehicles, including cars, jeeps, and taxis, accounted for fewer accidents and fatalities.
Urban vs. rural accidents
The majority of these tragic incidents unfolded in rural areas, constituting 68% of road accident fatalities. Urban areas contributed to the remaining 32% of total accident deaths.
Helmet manufacturers association’s concern
Rajeev Kapur, President of the Two-Wheeler Helmets Manufacturers Association, expressed deep concern over these distressing statistics. He urged state governments to enforce mandatory helmet use laws, emphasizing that stringent measures are crucial for saving lives.
“Despite India’s government establishing a helmet law, there is a severe lack of enforcement,” said Kapur. “Mandating helmet use is within the states’ purview, but unfortunately, many have not taken this matter seriously, leading to countless preventable deaths.”
Kapur also highlighted the issue of substandard helmet sales. “Unscrupulous helmet sellers contribute to the problem by manufacturing and selling fake and spurious ISI helmets. These not only fail to protect riders but also increase the risk of head injuries.”
He stressed the importance of raising awareness about the necessity of ISI parameter helmets and the dangers of substandard options. “Genuine ISI parameter helmets involve considerable costs, making it impossible for anyone to sell helmets at remarkably low prices, such as Rs 200, as seen in the capital city of Delhi.”
Regional accident data
The report highlighted that Tamil Nadu recorded the highest number of road accidents on national highways in 2022, followed by Madhya Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of individuals killed in road accidents. These findings underscore the urgent need for immediate action to promote helmet safety and reduce road accident fatalities.
The Two-Wheeler Helmets Manufacturers Association President’s call for stricter enforcement of helmet laws and the crackdown on counterfeit helmets reflects the critical need to address this pressing issue and save countless lives on India’s roads. Helmet manufacturers and government bodies must collaborate to ensure that ISI-standard helmets are enforced and used effectively to protect riders’ lives.
