Autobayng News Team
Manufacturers also pushed for stricter checks on illegal producers and proposed tech-based safety measures.“>
Jean Todt, UN Special Envoy for Road Safety, on Monday raised concerns over the proliferation of fake helmets in India and urged authorities to ensure full nationwide enforcement of the two-helmet-per-motorcycle policy to curb rising fatalities among two-wheeler users.According to a press release, speaking at a road safety conference in the national capital, Todt said India accounts for nearly 15 per cent of global road deaths despite having only around one per cent of the world’s vehicles, calling the situation “no longer acceptable”.“Helmets are one of the most effective life-saving tools, but only if they meet proper safety standards,” Todt said, adding that a significant share of helmets sold in markets such as Delhi were substandard or fake. He likened fake helmets to “fake vaccines”, warning that users assume protection that does not exist.The conference, titled ‘Mission: Save Lives On Roads, India — An Integrated Road Safety Meet’, was organised by Steelbird Helmets in collaboration with Central Road Research Institute and TRAX. The event brought together policymakers, researchers, industry representatives and medical experts to discuss measures under the Safe System Approach.Todt acknowledged recent policy announcements mandating two helmets with every motorcycle purchase but stressed that implementation and enforcement across states remain critical. He also pointed to a rise in fatal motorbike crashes in Delhi over the past five years and called for coordinated action involving government agencies, manufacturers and civil society.He announced that road safety would feature prominently at an upcoming high-level UN meeting in New York later this year, where governments and industry stakeholders are expected to make measurable commitments.
Industry representatives echoed the call for stricter enforcement. Rajeev Kapur, Managing Director of Steelbird Hi-Tech India Ltd, said that nearly half the helmets available in the Indian market were non-compliant or fake, posing serious risks to riders and pillion passengers.
Kapur urged two-wheeler manufacturers to supply two certified helmets with every vehicle at minimal cost to ensure compliance. He also called for stronger action against illegal manufacturers producing substandard products.
In addition, he proposed the adoption of technology-led interventions, including AI-enabled helmet sensors that alert riders if either the rider or pillion is not wearing a helmet, and GPS-linked speed limiters to curb over-speeding in designated zones.
India has committed to reducing road traffic deaths by 50 per cent in line with global targets for the current decade. However, speakers at the event underlined that achieving this goal would require sustained enforcement, industry accountability and greater public awareness around safety standards.
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