In a significant step toward improving road safety in India, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has announced that all two-wheelers must be sold with two ISI-certified helmets. The announcement, made at the Auto Summit in New Delhi, has been strongly supported by the Two-Wheeler Helmet Manufacturers Association (THMA) of India, the country’s largest organization representing ISI helmet producers.
Gadkari’s directive is seen as a crucial and long-overdue measure to prevent road fatalities. The Helmet Manufacturers Association, which has long advocated for the mandatory use of ISI-certified helmets, expressed its deep appreciation for the Minister’s proactive leadership.
This move has been welcomed with open arms by the THMA. “This is not just a regulation; it’s a national need. For families who have lost loved ones in crashes—young sons, daughters, parents—this directive brings hope that such losses can be prevented in the future,” said Rajeev Kapur, President of THMA
Two helmets, need of the hour
Statistics paint a grim picture of India’s road safety where over 4,80,000 road accidents and 1, 88,000 deaths are reported every year. Out of these 66 per cent accidents involve individuals aged between 18 and 45. Among two-wheeler fatalities, more than 69,000 deaths annually occur and 50 per cent are due to the absence of helmets.
The industry stressed that two-wheeler rides should no longer be hazardous. Ensuring both the rider and pillion wear ISI-certified helmets transforms the journey into one of safety and responsibility. THMA reaffirmed its commitment to increasing production and ensuring the widespread availability of high-quality ISI helmets across the country.
The association praised Gadkari’s initiative as a landmark step toward a new era of safer and more responsible two-wheeler commuting in India. The Union Transport Minister has been a strong advocate of vehicular safety in the country. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme in 2023, which has since conducted crash tests on over a dozen cars to assess their overall safety.