Citation

Mohan D. Am. Assoc. Automot. Med. Q. J. 1983; 5(4): 29-32.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1983, American Association for Automotive Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A study was conducted at four locations in Delhi, India to determine helmet use and two wheeled vehicle use patterns. A total of 8,569 motorcycles, scooters and mopeds were observed at different times of the day. Details of passengers, helmet use and type of vehicle were observed. An analysis of the data collected is presented in this paper. Among the conclusions reached are the following: 80% of all motorized two-wheelers on Delhi's roads are scooters and the rest motorcycles; in the daytime less than 5% of drivers completely disregard the compulsory helmet law; only 0.6% of passengers wore helmets; 59% of the helmet-wearers had helmets with chin cups, which are easily undone during crashes; only 20% of the observed sample was adequately protected by helmets; lighter, more comfortable and cheaper helmets should be designed; and it would be difficult to force large proportions of two wheel riders to observe helmet laws at night. The final conclusion was that two-wheelers should be phased out of production by 2000 AD and replaced by adequate, cheap and comfortable public transportation.