This article was written by Rajeev Kapoor, President, 2WHMA (Indian Two-Wheeler Helmet Manufacturers Association).In our country, most families have a simple custom. Before someone leaves home on a two-wheeler, there is always one reminder: “Behin Lena Helmet”.
This sentence comes from care. From fear.
There is hope that the person will return home safely. But what happens when the helmet itself can’t protect the rider? This is a fact that India needs to talk about more seriously.For years, discussions of road safety have focused primarily on traffic violations, speeding, penalties and road conditions. These are undoubtedly important issues. But there’s another problem quietly growing in markets across the country: counterfeit helmets.The passenger may feel safe when wearing it. The family may feel relieved to see it. Even traffic authorities may assume that the passenger is protected. But many helmets sold today are only made to look authentic. During an accident, they instantly crack or fail to absorb the impact properly. The knight suffers the consequences. The sad part is that most people who buy these helmets don’t even know they are fake.In local markets and roadside shops, helmets are available at very low prices so people are naturally attracted.
Many buyers are daily wage earners, students, or delivery drivers trying to manage monthly expenses. They don’t check technical specifications. They simply believe that if a helmet has a BIS mark, it should be safe. Unfortunately, even these indicators are now being imitated by counterfeit goods. The situation is dangerous because of this.In India, a large number of two-wheeler riders lose their lives in road accidents every year.
Each number has a real-life backstory, such as a family losing a son, a child losing a father, or parents losing a child they raised with ambitions and sacrifices.When safety equipment itself becomes unreliable, the entire purpose of road safety is undermined. The issue is no longer just about people wearing helmets. The issue is whether a helmet can actually save a person’s life during those critical few seconds after impact.As someone who has been associated with the helmet industry for many years, I strongly believe that the work should start from the manufacturing level. Counterfeit helmets should never reach the consumer in the first place.
No matter how many awareness efforts are undertaken, illegal manufacturing facilities that produce counterfeit helmets operate openly in some locations and supply the goods throughout markets. Until these networks are vigorously prosecuted, fake helmets will continue to spread everywhere.
No matter how many awareness programs are implemented, fake helmets will continue to spread around the world unless strict action is taken against these networks.It’s not just about business losses or duplicate products. This is directly related to public safety. There is also another important issue that we rarely discuss. After serious road accidents, investigations usually focus on the vehicle, speed or road condition.
Rarely does anyone check whether a used helmet is original or fake. That must change.If the authorities start examining the BIS licensing details of helmets involved in fatal accidents, it will become easier to identify fake products and understand the extent to which fake helmets affect road safety in India. The proposal to provide two BIS certified helmets with every motorcycle sale is also a positive step. It can help authentic helmets reach consumers directly through authorized channels instead of unsafe roadside markets.At the same time, awareness must continue at all levels. People should understand that a cheap helmet can become the most costly mistake of their life. Road safety is not only the responsibility of traffic police or manufacturers. It is a shared responsibility.The rider trusts the helmet during the worst possible moment in his life: an accident. This trust should never be broken. Because when a helmet breaks, it’s not just the product that breaks. Sometimes an entire family is separated from her.Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the original author and do not represent any of the Times Group or its employees.
