The government of Goa seems to be all set to implement the wearing of helmets for riders and pillions solely to reduce fatalities on all roads in Goa. As it is, the helmet rule is mandatory for the highways, which have been accepted by the public.
Now, do we really need helmets for speeds of 40kph and less in our cities and suburban roads? In fact there are so many streets in our cities wherein we cannot attain a speed of 20 kph and it surely sounds insane to think of helmets at these speeds. It was interesting to know the comparison of stats on the number of deaths involving two wheelers during January to April 2013 and during the same period in 2014. But it would be even more interesting to know as to how many of the same deaths were on highways and how many on non highways. I wish the government stresses on providing proper roads and follow strict road discipline. There is hardly any road discipline on Goan roads especially when it comes to junctions and roundabouts as to which vehicle has the right of way and what the speed limits should be. The need of the hour is perhaps proper road conditions as well as enforcement of proper road discipline.
Will the government stress on the following facts that lead to many accidents involving two wheelers. a) Use of hand held cell phones by drivers and riders. b) The stray cattle menace. c) Over speeding and wrong side overtaking. d) Driving /riding on wrong sides. e) Undisciplined lane changing. f) Incapable drivers/riders on highways. g) Potholed roads. h) Non use of side indicators, especially while turning. i) Unnecessary use of high beam lights during night. j) Driving with folded side view mirrors. ……….. And the list goes on.
Finally, for a glaring example of the inconvenience helmets will cause to riders especially on city and village roads, the government should ask the elected Members of the Legislative Assembly who rode on their bikes without helmets to the secretariat (with due respect to those MLAs) or the government officials who demand the helmet rule should themselves get on the road on two wheelers with helmets on for at least a month. After all, isn’t “practice what you preach” the best policy?
