The Hindu Business Line : Lack of air circulation discourages people from using helmets: Survey

TWO-wheelers were involved in approximately 34 per cent of the road accidents in Kerala last year. Yet, according to a recent survey of two-wheeler riders by the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre, only eight per cent of the respondents in Thiruvananthapuram and 28 per cent of those in Ernakulam were actually found to be using helmets.

According to the survey, 62 per cent of the respondents in Thiruvananthapuram and 76 per cent of those in Ernakulam own helmets. However, for most respondents in both cities, a major reason for not using their helmets was the lack of air circulation, the study found.

This reason was given by 51 per cent of the respondents in Thiruvananthapuram and 32 per cent of those in Ernakulam. Lack of enforcement by the authorities was another reason for helmets not being used, with 39 per cent of those in Ernakulam and 22 per cent of those in Thiruvananthapuram mentioning tardy enforcement as a reason for not using a helmet. Another reason for not using helmets was the irritation and headaches they cause, respondents in both cities said.

Interestingly, 58 per cent of the respondents in Ernakulam agreed that wearing helmets must be made compulsory for two-wheeler riders, but 78 per cent of those in Thiruvananthapuram opposed any move to make them compulsory. Similarly, 76 per cent of those polled in Ernakulam wanted helmet use to be strictly enforced, but 70 per cent of the respondents in Thiruvananthapuram opposed the enforcement. However, respondents in both cities were united in their opposition to any move to make helmets compulsory for pillion riders.

Usage of helmets was higher among males in Thiruvananthapuram, but in Ernakulam the situation was reversed.

According to the survey, 31 per cent of the male respondents in Thiruvananthapuram and 64 per cent of those in Ernakulam use helmets, while 22 per cent of the female respondents in Thiruvananthapuram and 67 per cent in Ernakulam use the same.

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