My Article on compulsuory helmet wearing( published in ET Madras Plus (dated 24.05.2007))
RULE IMPACT
Hell-met yet?
Helmet sales don’t seem to have increased in the expected numbers even after the court ruling...
MDS Prabu The High Court of Madras issued an order some time ago, to the effect that wearing a helmet be made a mandatory practise amongst all two-wheeler riders across the state. First-time offenders will be fined with Rs100, while Rs300 will be charged for subsequent offences, states the new rule, which is to be implemented on June 1. And it isn’t just the riders, but also those who accompany them, who are required to wear helmets. This deadline however, is only for the two-wheeler riders in the city; those from other parts of the state have time until July 1 to comply. However, the sales scene now indicates that the court order might not have been taken seriously. Rajkumar, a sales manager with Pioneer Scooter Centre, a helmet showroom in the city, tells us that the oncoming rule has not really motivated riders to buy helmets. "I’ve not witnessed any tremendous sales increase as such. Possibly, many people are still not aware of the order. Some, I know, also expect that the court-imposed deadlines are bound to be postponed," he says. Is this expectation of postponement a result of the fact that nothing official in this country materialises immediately? "Yes," pat comes the reply.The Managing Partner of Rainbow Lining Industries Jaffer Ali, who sells automobile accessories and helmets in his store, says that there is very little increase in sales at his outlet. "People come with a lot of enquiries nowadays. But, the numbers which turn into actual sales are very few," he adds. "When there is no other option, customers will rush at the last minute and this will make things worse, because we may not be able to supply the model and colour demanded by each person," says Rajkumar. Jaffer suggests that the best way to induce awareness is through advertisements. "If some clippings based on the public awareness messages are shown, it will automatically induce people to buy helmets," he opines. "Customers should buy helmets that satisfy ISI. These helmets break only when they are hit while hurtling at a speed of 30-45km," he remarks, adding that it may cost a little extra but in the long run it saves lives. "Besides," adds Jaffer, "Wearing a helmet also protects the eyes from dust and pollution and keeps a person fresh, even though it may take sometime to get accustomed to." "Helmets that are manufactured as per ISI, not only protect your life but also take care of your health as the standards also provide specifications on other aspects like thermocol, ventilation and patterns that don’t obstruct the view," opines another dealer Samsudeen, Proprietor of Life Care Helmets. For Samsudeen however, the sales figures have risen. "For instance I would sell about 20 helmets per day but nowadays I am able to sell 23 helmets," he says. Many people have also set up shops to capitalise on this opportunity. "The saddest part is that even mechanics have put up stalls in their shops. Without proper experience, they will not be able to advise customers,” says Samsudeen. The price of a branded helmet ranges from Rs400 to Rs1,400 and there are expensive models also that cost upto Rs8,000. "There has been an increase in the sale of these expensive helmets as a result of this judgement," says Samsudeen citing that the ruling has had an effect on some people. Kumar Subramanian, an assistant consultant with TCS, and a two-wheeler rider, agrees that he is keen to buy helmet only because of the judgement. "Even though I am not comfortable wearing helmets, the move is appropriate due to the increase in vehicle population and traffic. I am sure that such a ruling will only aid in the safety of people," he feels. N Rammoorthy an engineer with TNEB is of the same opinion, agreeing that unless such rulings are imposed nobody will take that extra effort to ensure safety. How far this implementation proves to be effective is something we’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime, ET M+ will keep you posted!
Hell-met yet?
Helmet sales don’t seem to have increased in the expected numbers even after the court ruling...
MDS Prabu The High Court of Madras issued an order some time ago, to the effect that wearing a helmet be made a mandatory practise amongst all two-wheeler riders across the state. First-time offenders will be fined with Rs100, while Rs300 will be charged for subsequent offences, states the new rule, which is to be implemented on June 1. And it isn’t just the riders, but also those who accompany them, who are required to wear helmets. This deadline however, is only for the two-wheeler riders in the city; those from other parts of the state have time until July 1 to comply. However, the sales scene now indicates that the court order might not have been taken seriously. Rajkumar, a sales manager with Pioneer Scooter Centre, a helmet showroom in the city, tells us that the oncoming rule has not really motivated riders to buy helmets. "I’ve not witnessed any tremendous sales increase as such. Possibly, many people are still not aware of the order. Some, I know, also expect that the court-imposed deadlines are bound to be postponed," he says. Is this expectation of postponement a result of the fact that nothing official in this country materialises immediately? "Yes," pat comes the reply.The Managing Partner of Rainbow Lining Industries Jaffer Ali, who sells automobile accessories and helmets in his store, says that there is very little increase in sales at his outlet. "People come with a lot of enquiries nowadays. But, the numbers which turn into actual sales are very few," he adds. "When there is no other option, customers will rush at the last minute and this will make things worse, because we may not be able to supply the model and colour demanded by each person," says Rajkumar. Jaffer suggests that the best way to induce awareness is through advertisements. "If some clippings based on the public awareness messages are shown, it will automatically induce people to buy helmets," he opines. "Customers should buy helmets that satisfy ISI. These helmets break only when they are hit while hurtling at a speed of 30-45km," he remarks, adding that it may cost a little extra but in the long run it saves lives. "Besides," adds Jaffer, "Wearing a helmet also protects the eyes from dust and pollution and keeps a person fresh, even though it may take sometime to get accustomed to." "Helmets that are manufactured as per ISI, not only protect your life but also take care of your health as the standards also provide specifications on other aspects like thermocol, ventilation and patterns that don’t obstruct the view," opines another dealer Samsudeen, Proprietor of Life Care Helmets. For Samsudeen however, the sales figures have risen. "For instance I would sell about 20 helmets per day but nowadays I am able to sell 23 helmets," he says. Many people have also set up shops to capitalise on this opportunity. "The saddest part is that even mechanics have put up stalls in their shops. Without proper experience, they will not be able to advise customers,” says Samsudeen. The price of a branded helmet ranges from Rs400 to Rs1,400 and there are expensive models also that cost upto Rs8,000. "There has been an increase in the sale of these expensive helmets as a result of this judgement," says Samsudeen citing that the ruling has had an effect on some people. Kumar Subramanian, an assistant consultant with TCS, and a two-wheeler rider, agrees that he is keen to buy helmet only because of the judgement. "Even though I am not comfortable wearing helmets, the move is appropriate due to the increase in vehicle population and traffic. I am sure that such a ruling will only aid in the safety of people," he feels. N Rammoorthy an engineer with TNEB is of the same opinion, agreeing that unless such rulings are imposed nobody will take that extra effort to ensure safety. How far this implementation proves to be effective is something we’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime, ET M+ will keep you posted!
posted by M.D.S.PRABU at 7:18 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home