[vinsanity]

The loss of "freedom to choose" is totally outweighed even by ONE SINGLE LIFE that may be saved by enforcing this rule.

Totally agree with that.. But unlike traffic rules which are imposed, here we are talking about life and death.. Why don't people just understand the need...
Well here its so tough to make a rule like this work.. People are waiting for such rules to come so that they can oppose it.... Really doubt it'l work here.....

[RX135]

Well said, GTO!

Good to see someone vehemently supporting this cause. I was and always will be passionate about this issue.

I read somewhere that no spoon feeding required. Are you kidding? We DO need spoon feeding. In our democracy, everyone has freedom to choose MPs, MLAs and who do they choose? Smugglers/goons/murderers contesting from prisons? Now dont be cynical in saying that, people get what they deserve.

Educating people, creating awareness is all fine. That will work probably in US, Europe, or some other developed country, but we live in a society which largely consists of people ignorant about their own safety.

Historically, there have been debates over this (even some laws British enforced on us, good for society, but opposed by masses). I do not agree that leaving it up to people is going to work. If it was going to work, we should have seen everyone wearing helmets by now.

I was going through newpaper a couple of days back and there were mixed reactions on helmet rule. Most of the doctors and social activists favoured it, while most of the opponents were politicians across different parties. Who wants to lose votes in next municipal election? :-)

Talking about "freedom to choose" etc, don't we think that Supreme court is better equipped in interpreting it than most of us? It's a shame that court had to step in, which was actually a government's job.

[GTO]

Where do you draw the line then? Would you be willing to give up your privacy in exchange for safety? Would you be willing to have camera's in your house and on every single road so the govt. can see that nobody is up to any unlawfull activity?

Making me wear a helmet when I ride a bike. Putting a camera in my house. Big difference, aint it?

The argument would be that the Govt. is looking after the best interest of the majority of the public, hence you gotto live with it.

Nope. The only advantage to the cameras in every house is that the govt would have free access to a helluva lot of porn.

Seatbelts, well, yea, it would be the same case. Leave it to the person to make his/her decission. However, you don't carry your seatbelt with you when you get of the car do you?

What about helmet locks? I used them on my bike.

There pros and cons to almost every situation in life. This is just one of those where the advantages demolish the disadvantages.

GTO

[normally_crazy]

Originally Posted by rtech

Would you be willing to have camera's in your house

lets not get ridiculous here

and yeah cameras on every junction - i dont mind !!

and yeah RT , every body is mature enuff to understand how to drive and ride safetly - but then y dont they understand that wearing a helmet just aids that safety !!

cheers

[normally_crazy]

Originally Posted by RX135

It's a shame that court had to step in, which was actually a government's job.

I agree but still why should the governent step in and tell us what to do ?

is our society so brainless as to they dont understand the implications of not wearing the helmet >??

sad to say after how they have reacted to this rule i mite be tempted to say - YES !!

[Shan2nu]

Will, if you wear a helmet everytime you ride your bike. You shouldn't be affected by this rule.

Now, i don't even think about the law against not wearing seatbelts, bcoz no matter what happens, i'm always wearing one.

Shan2nu

[vinsanity]

I'm sure everyone here feels that we need helmets..
The only question here is - 'Should it be imposed as a rule or not'..
Again, I have no problem with that either.. My only debate is that a rule wouldn't help.. People should think for once how important their lives are and use 1....

[RX135]

Originally Posted by normally_crazy

I agree but still why should the governent step in and tell us what to do ?

is our society so brainless as to they dont understand the implications of not wearing the helmet >??

sad to say after how they have reacted to this rule i mite be tempted to say - YES !!

As I said in my earlier posts, if people/society was so concious and intelligent, we should have seen everyone wearing helmets by now and there should have been no arguments over the whole issue. What do you say?

[GTO]

My only debate is that a rule wouldn't help.. People should think for once how important their lives are and use 1....

Its easier to impose a rule than to educate 1.xx billion people.

GTO

[vinsanity]

Ya, thats true.. Some how people here just doesn't seem to accept it.... Dont really know why they are so hell bent on not using one...

[Rtech]

@ RX135 & GTO: You do have very good points. I suppose in our country, where road safety means going to the temple before you start your journey, laying down laws is really the only way to get the point across.

@VINSANITY: Dude, I think we really confused the hell outa you lol! Each post of your's has you swaying to the other side of the arguement!

is our society so brainless as to they dont understand the implications of not wearing the helmet >??

@NC, it's not a case of brainless, most of the time its about "if something is gonna happen, it will...". I don't think a person out there will contest the safety issue, its just that nobody thinks about that every single time they are driving/riding.

Do you stick to the 80kmph speedlimit on the expressway? Do you drive after a few drinks? Do you drive like and i quote "a speed demon" in the city? I'm sure you know the implications of all this.

Nobody is a saint here! Unless you genuinely are brainless lol

TO END THIS LENGHTY AND INSIGHTFUL DEBATE....WEAR YOUR HELMET!!!

[normally_crazy]

hehehe

yeah - PLEASE DO WEAR UR HELMETS AND CARRY A SPARE ONE WITH YOU !!

cheers

[F50]

Well, Mid-day had this online poll for this helmet rule.

Is the Helmet rule justified?
Yes - 53.90%
No - 46.10%

Related Info. : 7000 riders caught till 24th Jan
3448 riders caught on 21st Jan, fine amounting to Rs. 188,900
Rs.100 is the fine

Still there are many people who dont wanna accept this rule. I know its difficult to educate 1.xx billion people but imposing a rule is not the way and even if rule is imposed then give enough time and space and it shud be seen that it is carried out properly.

Now, there should have been enough time given by govt. so that people can buy helmets. What is the scene now? Maharashtra Transport Department has has informally told the traffic police not to insist that motorcyclists wear a helmet with an ISI mark.
Whats the use? People buying cheap quality helmets just for the sake of wearing. Helmet is for the safety and by wearing cheap quality helmets life is not going to be that good.
Im not against this rule but what i want to say is that govt. should give more time so that people buy proper ISI marked helmets.
If you start something for the welfare then do see to it that it is done in proper manner.
Some will surely say "Paisa Khana Tha Isliye" Look at the amount collected.
Sec. 129 of MVA clearly states that
* Wearing protective headgear — every person driving or riding (other than in a side car) on a motorcycle of any class or description shall, while in a public place, wear protective headgear conforming to the standards of Bureau of Indian Standards.
And not roadside quality.

[Rehaan]

Originally Posted by rtech

I again say that I am NOT against the wearing of helmets or the fact that they do indeed save lives!! I am simply FOR the right to be treated like an adult who is responsible enough to make my own decisions.

I totally see your point Rtech.
I know that wearing a helmet is definitely the safer thing, and have seen people pay the ultimate penalty first hand on more than one occasion.

However, the truth is that people in our country are not mature and responsible and educated in safety enough to make their own descision.

Personally, if i had a bike, i would be a bit bummed by this rule...because i would like to go helmetless whenever i felt like (however not regularly...).

But the truth of the matter is that i would reather have you cursing and sweating, (with dandruff and hairloss...lol) than our friend *Ramlal* loose his head.

cya
R

[drifter]

People complain that there was no time given to them to buy helmets....

But werent the traffic cops toying with this idea as early as may last year???
The helmet law was bound to come in sooner or later...and the people knew it.
So saying that enough time was not given is all bull%*#@. Be ready to PAY UP the fine without cribbing if you dont wear a helmet.

Just that some are too lazy to do anything about it and some people think its a waste of money. They all think accidents wont happen to them. Indian mentality BAAH!

Drifter