Why were these provisions introduced into the Motor Vehicles Act? Because of pressure from various groups. The reasoning went thus: There are more two-wheeler deaths in India than in other countries. In other countries deaths of two- wheeler riders have gone down after helmets were made compulsory. Therefore helmets should be made compulsory in India. Statistics were the basis for these recommendations. Parmar too, has quoted statistics.

Therefore I cannot understand what is the objection to providing the comparison of deaths in Delhi and Pune over the last ten years. I had originally asked for statistics of Mumbai, Pune and Delhi. Apparently the deaths in Mumbai were much less and Dr. Sarin did not provide these saying that Pune was more comparable to Delhi. If my information is outdated, all I am asking is that I and the rest of the concerned public be brought up to date. If the reasoning that lay behind the law is not proved by subsequent statistics, the law should be repealed, instead of putting more people at risk. If the reasoning was correct, then the statistics should bring this out too. There is no doubt that a helmet can prevent or reduce head injuries. Therefore in Delhi where helmets are compulsory the death rate should be about half of that in Pune. If the death rate is the same or more, then obviously, some other factors are at work which were not taken into account and the law should be repealed.

I am an admirer of Parmar and the good work that his Foundation is doing. My objections are sincere and that I am not trying to be unreasonable or negative. I want to avoid being run over and I want to be able to continue to use my two- wheeler. I have found I can do both these things if I do not wear a helmet as presently prescribed. I do not believe that the law- makers or enforcers have the right to punish people who are driving safely. I consider this an abuse of authority. It indicates a certain contempt for the views of those who have every right to decide what is best for themselves.

I am glad that the Foundation is trying to minimise disadvantages of the existing helmets. If you have watched bicycle races in Europe like the Tour de France shown on television, you would have noticed that they wear helmets of a completely different design with slits along the top running from front to rear. These are obviously to allow for adequate cooling. These helmets would provide adequate protection from falls or contact with flat or rounded objects but would not protect against pointed objects. This appears to be a reasonable and workable trade off between comfort and safety.

Cdr. AJ D'Cruz
985 Nana Peth
Pune -411002