[Mister_M]

I was quite surprised when I came across this subject line in dailies today: "Helmets for Bus Drivers in Tamil Nadu".

Chennai: For perhaps the first time in the world, drivers of public transport buses are wearing helmets. State transport corporations have supplied helmets to their bus drivers operating in most of the Vanniyar areas in the north and west regions to protect themselves from stone-pelting by PMK miscreants who have been agitating ever since violence erupted in Marakkanam during the party’s youth festival at Mamallapuram.

Sources:

1. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/13051...s-wear-helmets

2. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/19997839.cms

3. http://www.chennaipatrika.com/post/2...ve-stones.aspx

Picture courtesy: Dinamalar.com

Might have political reasons behind; As Motor-Heads, what do you guys feel about this move???!? Does it really help these drivers?

P.S.: Mods, please move this thread appropriately if this is not the right place / if a related thread already exist. Thanks!

Cheers!!
M

[Soumyajit9]

The reasoning is the funniest ever I have heard !! Definitely a politically motivated reasoning.

But for whatever reasons it is, its a safe move.
However I wonder if those hard top helmets would actually save them from any danger (accident or stone pelting).
They should rather start wearing full face cover helmets.

[ramzsys]

This is the reason behind the move:

PMK men held for killing Haryana driver in Tamil Nadu
TNN May 9, 2013, 07.26AM IST

Tiruvannamalai: Police on Wednesday arrested 10 PattaliMakkalKatchi (PMK) cadres on murder charges in Tamil Nadu, a day after a truck driver from Haryana died in hospital after getting injured when a group of party activists protesting the arrest of their leaders hurled petrol bombs at his vehicle on May 2.

A hunt has been launched for several others involved in the attack.

Police said a container truck from Haryana was.....<read more at the link below>

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/19963084.cms

[v12]

Sometime ago I had also read in the papers that ST bus drivers needed to put up pictures of their wife/children/parents on the dashboard. That idea behind this was that if they ever decide to drink and drive (or drive rashly) - the image / thought of the loved ones would deter them from driving under influence.

[GTO]

Mod Note: Thread moved to the Commercial Vehicles Forum. Thanks for sharing!

[Jignesh]

Originally Posted by Mister_M

Might have political reasons behind; As Motor-Heads, what do you guys feel about this move???!? Does it really help these drivers?

Funny it seems on the first look, but actually it calls for pity on situation on our streets / roads. By the way what about passengers in these buses? What about their safety in event of stone pelting?

Rather than asking bus drivers to wear helmets, the authorities should take toughest possible action on people who damage public property & cause danger to other's safety / lives. I understand a leader is arrested but that does not give his / her followers authorization to damage public property.

Further the idea though good, will not help much because in event of stone pelting generally the windshield glass breaks & whole body is at risk & not only the head.

Thanks,