Now BIS-certified helmets for two-wheeler owners

New Delhi: Two-wheeler riders in India will now have to wear only Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)- certified helmets, the government announced on Friday.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the development would help avoid the sale of low-quality two-wheeler helmets in the country.

This will help prevent fatal injuries in case of a road accident.

Following the directions of the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety, a committee was set up to consider lighter helmets, keeping in mind the country's climatic condition and to ensure that the citizens wear the helmets.

The committee had experts from different fields, including doctors from All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) and experts from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

According to the recommendations of the committee, the BIS has revised the specifications through which it is expected to make lighter helmets.

The International Road Federation, a Geneva-based global road safety body working for the better and safer roads worldwide, welcomed the road transport ministry's move to bring helmets for two-wheeler riders under the mandatory BIS regime.

KK Kapila, president emeritus of the International Road Federation said, "This much-awaited move means the sale of non-BIS certified helmets will be an offence once the notification comes to effect."

The total number of two-wheelers being manufactured in India annually stands at about 1.7 crores.

In March 2018, the committee had provided a detailed analysis of the report and had recommended lighter helmets of riders, which the Ministry of Road Transport accepted.

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