Till date, over 16,000 caught for not wearing ISI-marked headgear

A few days ago, Ludhiana resident Sanjeev Azad, riding his motorcycle, was challaned near Kalagram in Chandigarh. Sanjeev was baffled, since he was wearing a helmet. He questioned the traffic policeman, and was coolly told that the challan was for not wearing an ISI-marked helmet.

This is the new dilemma for those coming to the city from the neighbouring states. While they know that not wearing a helmet invites an immediate challan in Chandigarh, they are seldom aware of the other rule in the book where helmets are concerned: that these must be ISI marked. In fact, the challan issued by the traffic police carries a note in this regard.

The traffic police officers state that not wearing an ISI-marked helmet is as good as not wearing the headgear. “The non-ISI marked helmets are ineffective and do not offer any real protection in case of a mishap,” said Major Singh, the traffic policeman who challaned Azad.

“We try to spread awareness in this regard, and issue challans so that two-wheeler riders ensure that they wear the right kind of helmet. Otherwise, they can suffer grievous injuries in the event of an accident,” he added.

Helmet-less driving continues to be a major area where motorists are challaned. Till October 22, the traffic police had challaned 13,959 persons for driving without a helmet. The number of pillion riders challaned for not wearing a helmet stood at 8,211.

Interestingly, a whopping 11,985 drivers of two-wheelers have been challaned for not wearing an ISI-marked helmet this year. Wearing of a similar helmet is essential for male pillion riders too. Till October 22 this year, 4,747 challans have been issued to pillion riders for not wearing an ISI-marked helmet.

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