Three out of every four kids don’t wear helmets, survey finds

Three in every four children in the city ride without helmets, a survey by Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG) has found. Of 520 parents surveyed, 457 (88%) said they knew helmets were a life-saver for children, yet 391 of them did not buy them.

In 2022, Tamil Nadu ranked first in driver fatalities and fourth in passenger fatalities due to not using helmets, as per the Union ministry of road transport and highways. In Chennai, 8.9% of road fatalities involving two-wheelers in 2023 were due to helmet-less driving. A recent study by traffic police showed that 47% of pillion riders in the city travel without helmets. The compliance rate was even lower among children, police said.

While parents are aware, they don't understand the importance of helmets for children, CAG researchers said. "Parents wear helmets but say children feel uncomfortable with helmets, or that they are expensive. Some even say children don't need them," said Sowmya Kannan, author of the survey released recently.

CAG researchers found that among 129 people who owned and used helmets, 44% used bicycle helmets. The remaining wore smaller sizes of adult helmets — half shell, half face or full face. "Adult helmets don't adequately provide safety for children. While bicycle helmets offer better coverage, they may not work for speeding vehicles," she said.

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act of 2019 mandates helmets conforming to BIS for children above four years riding pillion. The Central Motor Vehicle Rules 2022 allow the use of bicycle helmets for children between nine months and four years. The survey, however, showed children up to 17 years ride pillion with bicycle helmets.

Paediatricians say children are vulnerable road users due to their limited physical and cognitive development. "In the event of a road crash, children are at a higher risk of severe injuries. Parents have to enforce helmet use," said Dr Indira Jayakumar, senior paediatric consultant at Apollo Speciality Hospitals.

Researchers said many shops don't even stock children's helmets. Of 145 helmet shops surveyed, 78 stocked children's helmets, but only 39 shops sold around 10 children's helmets each month due to low demand.

Despite laws prohibiting more than two people from riding a two-wheeler, many parents admit they allow children to sit between adults. "Parents believe children don't need helmets if they are seated between adults. Some parents think their children are safe if they're held by an adult," said former assistant commissioner of police T Inbaraj. The survey says the govt should boost the production and availability of standard helmets in stores. A few weeks ago, traffic police distributed 1,000 free helmets to children to create awareness. Integrating road safety education into the school curriculum can emphasise the importance of helmets among kids, experts said.

Three in every four children in the city ride without helmets, a survey by Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG) has found. Of 520 parents surveyed, 457 (88%) said they knew helmets were a life-saver for children, yet 391 of them did not buy them.

In 2022, Tamil Nadu ranked first in driver fatalities and fourth in passenger fatalities due to not using helmets, as per the Union ministry of road transport and highways. In Chennai, 8.9% of road fatalities involving two-wheelers in 2023 were due to helmet-less driving. A recent study by traffic police showed that 47% of pillion riders in the city travel without helmets. The compliance rate was even lower among children, police said.

While parents are aware, they don't understand the importance of helmets for children, CAG researchers said. "Parents wear helmets but say children feel uncomfortable with helmets, or that they are expensive. Some even say children don't need them," said Sowmya Kannan, author of the survey released recently.

CAG researchers found that among 129 people who owned and used helmets, 44% used bicycle helmets. The remaining wore smaller sizes of adult helmets — half shell, half face or full face. "Adult helmets don't adequately provide safety for children. While bicycle helmets offer better coverage, they may not work for speeding vehicles," she said.

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act of 2019 mandates helmets conforming to BIS for children above four years riding pillion. The Central Motor Vehicle Rules 2022 allow the use of bicycle helmets for children between nine months and four years. The survey, however, showed children up to 17 years ride pillion with bicycle helmets.

Paediatricians say children are vulnerable road users due to their limited physical and cognitive development. "In the event of a road crash, children are at a higher risk of severe injuries. Parents have to enforce helmet use," said Dr Indira Jayakumar, senior paediatric consultant at Apollo Speciality Hospitals.

Researchers said many shops don't even stock children's helmets. Of 145 helmet shops surveyed, 78 stocked children's helmets, but only 39 shops sold around 10 children's helmets each month due to low demand.

Despite laws prohibiting more than two people from riding a two-wheeler, many parents admit they allow children to sit between adults. "Parents believe children don't need helmets if they are seated between adults. Some parents think their children are safe if they're held by an adult," said former assistant commissioner of police T Inbaraj. The survey says the govt should boost the production and availability of standard helmets in stores. A few weeks ago, traffic police distributed 1,000 free helmets to children to create awareness. Integrating road safety education into the school curriculum can emphasise the importance of helmets among kids, experts said.

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