Two-wheelers make up a large
proportion of vehicles on the Indian roads. It is a renowned fact
that helmets for motorcycle drivers as well as pillion riders protect
lives. Thus to improve the safety of the motorcycle riders and
passengers, National Transportation Safety Board has proposed a
nationwide rule that anyone who rides a motorcycle must wear a
helmet. Helmet use not only reduces the risk of death or head
injuries, but it also cuts down the cost of medical bills, length of
hospital stay, the need for special medical treatments or even
possibility of long-term impairment.
But not everyone is convinced that
helmet laws are the answer to improving safety. When you get on the
road without a helmet, you are more prone to risks and may even
suffer from an injury. The more severe injury could lead to more
costly medical bills, thus resulting into higher premiums. Anyone
riding a bike will be more likely to suffer from accidents and
mishaps on roads than someone driving a car, so having a helmet that
meets safety regulations is indeed very crucial.
Motorcycle Helmet Laws
Keeping in mind the safety of the
bikers and also to decrease the number of deaths caused due to not
wearing helmets in many states of India, state law authorities have
passed the rule that all motorcyclists should wear a helmet. Those
who are not seen implementing the rule will be charged tough
penalties, including impounding of vehicles and even suspending the
driving license of the violators till the time he/she does not
produce an ISI-certified helmet with a receipt. Talking about India’s
capital city – Delhi, even the women riders and pillions (except
Sikh women) will be charged if they don't wear helmets. A special
team has also been deployed at various institutions, commercial
centers, and important intersections to ensure compliance of the law.
The Safety of Wearing a Helmet
In a four wheeler vehicle, there are a
plenty of safety options that can protect the driver even in case of
critical accidents. However, with motorcyclists, it is just the
helmet that would protect you the most. Many people who are involved
in a motorcycle crash without a helmet suffer from lifelong brain
injuries or are even left paralyzed. Using a helmet could have helped
them prevent those critical injuries. Although it’s true that
riding with a helmet isn’t going to avert a crash or any mishap on
the road, but it can most certainly prevent any serious injury
prompted in a crash by a great extent.
Is Insurance Coverage Beneficial
Motorcycles usually mean higher
insurance premiums, whether you wear a helmet or not. Despite of
investing in one of the best insurance policies available, you may
still be left uninsured. If you sustain a serious head injury from
riding without a helmet, your insurance will not cover for your
long-term hospitalization cost. Insurance companies regularly present
an array of information emphasizing that riding with helmet
significantly reduces head injuries. Still there are many riders who
ignore these warnings on most occasions. If you get into an accident
and your insurer believes that your injuries could have been lessened
by donning a helmet, they may not give you much of settlement amount.
However if you get a significant payout - consider yourself lucky
enough.
The Bottom Line
To protect yourself from becoming the
victim of horrible accidents and then paying hefty sum on insurance
premiums, it is always wiser to wear your helmet while riding a bike
and carry enough insurance to be safe from any mishap. HDFC-ERGO
is one of the leading general insurance companies in India that
offers motorcycle insurance policy at reasonable price. To buy
two wheeler insurance from HDFC ERGO you may visit their website and
buy an insurance online with mere a few simple clicks.
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