Wearing a Helmet

Is it essential to wear a helmet when I am riding a motorcycle or a bicycle?
Yes, all two wheel riders and pillion riders need to wear helmets when riding a motor bicycle or a bicycle for protection.

Why?
Motorcycle and bicycle riders are more prone to have a crash than other vehicle occupants because they are,
* Unprotected by a vehicle structure and thus exposed readily to the traffic environment
* Often shares the traffic space with fast moving vehicles
* Less visible
* Unstable in the traffic environment

Wearing a Helmet

What should I look for when choosing a helmet?
The Helmet should,
* Fit your head comfortably
* Cover the maximum area of your head and face
* Not be too tight or too loose
* Have a proper buckle
* Buckle should not be too tight or too loose
* Preferably of white or other light color with reflective stripes.
* Not have cracks, holes or any sharp pointed objects protruding inside

Do helmets prevent accidents?
No, the helmet does not prevent the occurrence of accidents. Helmets only prevent the occurrence of brain injury, reduce severity and deaths resulting from brain injuries during a crash.

Do I need to wear a helmet even if I am riding at low speed?
Yes. Brain injuries can result even at low speeds of 10-15 kmph.

Do I need to wear a helmet even if I travel a short distance?
Yes. Crashes can occur at any distance from your destination.

Do I need to wear a helmet only in the city limits and places where police officers are present?
No. Crashes and a full form a motorcycle can occur at any street or in any road irrespective of the presence of a police officer.

Do helmets cause neck injury during a crash?
No. A higher number of severe neck injuries are reported among riders without helmets.

Do helmet straps cause strangulation during a crash?
No. A properly placed helmet does not cause strangulation.

Do my children need to wear helmets when they are in school uniform?
Yes. Children are at a much higher risk of sustaining injury in a motorcycle crash because of their smaller size and softness of the skull. Serious head injuries, to children above five years can be prevented by wearing correct size helmets. Parents need to be more safety conscious, while carrying children in motorcycles.

Wearing a Helmet

Do adult helmets provide protection for children?
No. Children need to wear helmets designed for children.

Do children under five need to wear helmets?
Helmets do not provide protection to children under two years because of their weak neck muscles. There are no standard motorcycle helmets designed for children between two to five years. Therefore, parents need to think twice before carrying children less than five years on motorcycles.