Desk Report: Use of helmets by bikers and pillion passengers has increased considerably across the country, including the capital, due to strict monitoring by police after students’ road safety movement, reports Daily Sun.
But, safety of motorcycle riders and pillion passengers is yet to be ensured as many of them use low-quality helmets just to abide by law. So, the ultimate goal of using helmets remains unfulfilled.
Sale of low-quality helmets increased to a great extent after police drives. Helmets are now available merely at Tk300-350. Under the circumstance, Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute (BSTI) has taken an initiative to stop import of low-quality helmets.
During visits to a number of safety gear shops in Banglamotor area of the capital, this correspondent found the shops crowded with buyers.
Dulal Mahmud, an employee of a private firm, along with her wife was seen examining helmets at a shop at Banglamotor. Sometimes, he took his wife with him, but she never felt necessity of wearing helmet. Because of police drives, Dulal felt the necessity of buying helmet for his wife.
Salespersons showed him helmets of various kinds. Ultimately, she took a low-quality helmet at Tk 300.
When asked for buying low quality helmet, Dulal replied: “It’s just for protecting myself from police case.”
While talking to helmet sellers, they said: “We keep all kinds of helmets. If buyers want to take low quality helmets, we have nothing to do.”
“It is true that after students’ road safety movement, sale of helmets increased, but buyers prefer low quality helmets” he said.
Helmet traders said: “There are various brands of helmets in market such as Replay, Yohe, STM, Ozone, IBK, Gliders, Vega, Steelbird, Atlas and Studds.
Moreover, Yamaha, Hero Honda and Runner companies have their own helmets. Their prices vary according to quality.
Another salesperson said: “Helmets like Vega, Steelbird and Studds are sold at Tk 2,500 while Gliders are sold at Tk 800, IBK at Tk 900 and STM at Tk 800.
Contacted, the director (certification marks or CM)) of BSTI, Engr SM Ishaq Ali told the daily sun: “Quality of any helmet cannot be guaranteed if it is not checked at port during its import.”
“So, we are trying to keep a provision of checking helmets’ quality at ports in the new import policy. We have already held several meetings in this regard. We hope that it will come into effect soon,” he stated.
He also said: “In 2018-21 import policy, an initiative has been taken to increase the number of compulsory standard testing products from 58 to 79. Helmet is also in the list.”
According to the National Board of Revenue (NBR), Tk 1500 crore safety headgear items or helmets were imported in the country during 2016-17 fiscal year.
In 2015-16 fiscal, around Tk 609 crore safety headgear or helmet goods were imported in the country. Their imports rose by 146 percent.
At present, a month-long traffic awareness programme is underway in the capital. As part of the programme, members of the law enforcing agencies are examining documents of transport vehicles, including buses, private cars and motorcycles.
They also filed cases against the bikers and pillion passengers for not wearing helmets while driving bikes. As a result, motorbike riders are now wearing helmets due to strict police monitoring.
Scouts are also helping police to improve traffic chaos in the capital.
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