Two-wheeler riders rise to the occasion and strap up the protective headgear on day one of enforcement following the High Court order

On Wednesday morning, many two-wheeler riders exchanged sheepish glances with each other through their helmet visors — most of them were wearing the headgear for the first time — thanks to a Madras High Court order.

According to police officers, nearly 95 per cent of motorists in the city wore helmets and 80 per cent, in the suburbs. But only a few pillion riders had their helmets on. Many helmet shops closed for the day as they ran out stock and customers thronged the open ones.

Early in June, the High Court directed the State government to make wearing of helmets mandatory for two-wheeler riders from July 1, under Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Vehicle documents of those who flout the rule will be impounded. Three hundred traffic policemen, split into teams, were deployed in different parts of the city to enforce the rule. “The personnel impounded driving licences and other documents from some while a few others were warned. Our main aim is to spread the message about the importance of wearing a helmet,” a senior police officer said.

City Police Commissioner S. George said that most motorists who flouted the rule were between 20 and 25 years of age. “Earlier, only 15 per cent of motorists were using helmets. I am very happy with the cooperation from the public. The number of cases we book will drop drastically in the coming days. We hope more people will start using helmets by then,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the southern suburbs, traffic police officials conducted special vehicle checks at different traffic points on Grand Southern Trunk Road; Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam Radial Road; Medavakkam Main Road; and Velachery Main Road. They seized the vehicle documents and issued receipts for the same.

Four Traffic Enforcement Wing policemen have been deployed at marked checkpoints across the city. “The traffic police should give more time for us to buy helmets; I have been looking for one for my 15 year-old-son for the past one month,” B.V. Saravanan from Rajakilpakkam said. He added that it was difficult for the police to verify the ISI certification of helmets. There are chances of duplicates ruling the market in the next few days,” he said.

In Thiruvallur, police officials were engaged more in advising the public to use helmets. A senior official said that 349 cases were booked and 56 vehicles were impounded in the district in connection with people not wearing helmets.

How to choose a helmet » The brain is the most protected organ in the body, an indicator of its importance. On your head, first there is your hair, then skin, the skull that is about 1.5-cm thick, then the meninges or the covering of the brain, and finally, the brain itself.

The brain is the most protected organ in the body, an indicator of its importance. On your head, first there is your hair, then skin, the skull that is about 1.5-cm thick, then the meninges or the covering of the brain, and finally, the brain itself. » Wearing a helmet may turn an irreversible head injury into a reversible one. The helmet adds an extra cushioning of 2.75 to 4 cm, which helps protect the brain.

Wearing a helmet may turn an irreversible head injury into a reversible one. The helmet adds an extra cushioning of 2.75 to 4 cm, which helps protect the brain. » Of the 2,500-odd deaths owing to head injury, 98 % resulted from road traffic accidents, and 95 % of these involved two-wheelers. What people don't realise is that for every death, there are 75 people who sustain a mild head injury and 25 who get a moderate to severe head injury. There are thousands in a vegetative state whose families have been completely disrupted.

Of the 2,500-odd deaths owing to head injury, 98 % resulted from road traffic accidents, and 95 % of these involved two-wheelers. What people don't realise is that for every death, there are 75 people who sustain a mild head injury and 25 who get a moderate to severe head injury. There are thousands in a vegetative state whose families have been completely disrupted. » Every three and a half minutes, there is a death owing to a brain injury in India, and most of these are in the age group of 17 to 35 years.

Every three and a half minutes, there is a death owing to a brain injury in India, and most of these are in the age group of 17 to 35 years. » The helmet is equally, if not more, important for pillion riders as they are more at risk during an accident.

The helmet is equally, if not more, important for pillion riders as they are more at risk during an accident. » Strapping the helmet on is a must — there is almost no point in wearing the helmet without strapping it - K.Ganapathy,

neurosurgeon, Apollo Hospitals, former president of the Neurological Society of India Fit The fit of the helmet depends on the shape of your head. Ensure that the headgear fits snugly, and should not move when you shake your head. The foam lining should complement the shape of your head. If the helmet is of the wrong size, it will either move around on your head, or be too tight.

Altering the insides of the helmet will risk compromising its integrity. A new helmet should fit snugly because it will become comfortable within months. Visor The helmet should have a clear visor as it gives a good vision of the road. Those with a tint will cause hindrance to vision.It should have an ISI (Indian Standards Institute) certification, a mark of good quality.

It is better to buy brightly-coloured helmets so that people can see you in the night.

(Additional reporting by T. Madhavan)