Helmet Rules in India – Things You Need to Know

Why is it compulsory to Wear a Helmet in India?

There has been an increase in the number of accidents taking place in India, especially due to the involvement of two-wheelers. Most of these accidents lead to death or critical condition of the rider causing injuries in the neck, head, spine, and other parts of the body. The head injuries caused by accidents lead to the instant death of many riders. Hence, the government has made helmets compulsory for riders in India to reduce the rate of accidental deaths in the country.

So, it is compulsory to wear helmets in India to abide by the motor vehicle rules. If a rider rides a two-wheeler without a helmet, he/she has to pay a fine of INR 1000 or may be imprisoned for up to three months. The use of a helmet not just secures you against serious injuries to the head, but also ensures that you return to your family safe and sound after riding your vehicle. This way you get to take the necessary safety precautions at the time of riding a two-wheeler vehicle.

Traffic Laws in India About Helmets

Looking at the rising cases of bike accidents in India, the government has made it compulsory to wear a helmet while riding a two-wheeler vehicle. The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 mandates the use of a helmet and at the same time has enforced new rules of severe penalties and fines.

• As per section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, it has been made compulsory for each individual over 4 years of age to wear headgear for protection while riding a two-wheeler. Below are some special laws announced in this regard:
• Section 129(a) says that the helmet used while riding should be sturdy and should be made of materials that offer maximum protection during accidents (if any)
• Section 129(b) says that if there is a pillion rider riding in the two-wheeler along with the driver, both of them should wear helmets with attached straps to hold the headgear tight and avoid it falling in the event of an accident
• Section 194D of the Motor Vehicles Act states that if a rider is caught riding a bike/scooter without a helmet, the person will be fined INR 1000. Also, the driving license of the person might be suspended for up to 3 months
• The law permits individuals belonging to Sikh families to avoid wearing a helmet while riding a bike if they are wearing a turban on their head
• Further, many RTO rules along with the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) under Section 138 (4) (f) were introduced to aid two-wheeler riders in maintaining rules and regulations
• The government also makes it mandatory for every two-wheeler manufacturer to sell two helmets for the rider and the pillion while purchasing the vehicle. And, it is required for the rider to submit proof of helmet while registering the vehicle in the RTO. Failing to do so will get the request denied.

Which types of Helmets are not Acceptable in India?

Many people in India wear a helmet not to avoid injury but to avoid penalties. Hence, they use a half-helmet, which is a piece of protection that covers only a portion of their head rather than protecting the entire head. However, unlike earlier, wearing a half-helmet is no longer accepted as per the updated traffic rules or the new helmet rule in India.

Section 129(a) of the Motor Vehicles Act has laid down some rules and regulations regarding the helmet type that should be used while riding a bike. Hence, the Indian government together with BIS or the Bureau of Indian Standards has issued a notice to the producers of helmets to abide by the norms while producing helmets.

Here are some key features which must be taken note of while producing helmets:

• The helmet you wear must be at least 1.2 kg in weight
• The thickness of the helmet should be around 20-25 mm. It should be made from high-quality foam
• The helmets must have ISI stamps on them mandatorily as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in India
• If a seller sells a helmet without the ISI mark, it will be regarded as a rule violation
• The helmet should have a transparent eye cover to make it easy for the rider to see while riding a two-wheeler
• Further, the helmets should pass the BIS tests, including absorption tests before they are sold in the market. The absorption tests check the helmet in terms of its performance in varied weather conditions

State-wise Laws and Penalties Related to Helmets in India

The table below details the laws and penalties in different states in India for not using helmets while riding two-wheelers. However, due to the protest of the passengers, many states in India created temporary helmet rules rather than the strict regulations that are mentioned in the updated rules of the Motor Vehicle Act.