HERALD NEWS DESK
PANJIM, MAY 25
The Government today made an appeal to people for wearing of protective
head gear for riders and pillion riders of two wheelers in order to
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avoid fatalities due to head injuries.
The Police Department has mentioned that rate of road accidents and
fatalities in Goa are one of the highest in the country. In the year
2008, in all 318 persons lost their lives in accidents on Goan roads,
out of which 159 (50%) were motorcyclists. Of the 159 motor cyclists
killed, 133 (83.65%) were riders and 26 (16.35%) were pillion riders.
Besides, out of the 159 motorcyclists killed in all, 139 (87.42%)
motorcyclists died due to head injuries for not wearing helmets.
Statistics of the Police Department tell that of similar trend for the
previous years too.
In 2007, out of 188 motorcyclists who died, 128 of which were riders
without helmets and 17 with helmets and 43 pillion riders were without
helmets.
The Police Department has observed that accidents are result of
carelessness. Luck may prevent some accidents, but care can prevent all
accidents. The department has stated that a two wheeler riders is five
time more likely to be killed in an accident than a car or bus traveler
as two wheeler riders are highly vulnerable and most deaths in
motorcycle accident are due to head injuries. In this context it
becomes absolutely imperative for riders and pillion riders to use
helmets on all roads. Although wearing of helmets may not prevent
accidents, but it would certainly reduce the intensity of impact in
case of road mishaps.
