With Uttar Pradesh set to roll out its “No Helmet, No Fuel” campaign from September 1, concerns are mounting over the rampant circulation of counterfeit helmets that threaten to undermine the initiative’s life-saving intent.
The campaign, which bars fuel stations from serving riders without helmets, has won strong backing from Mr. Rajeev Kapur, President of the Two-Wheeler Helmet Manufacturers Association of India (2WHMA). However, Kapur warns of a parallel crisis — fake helmets flooding the market.
“Almost 95% of ₹110 helmets are counterfeit. They carry BIS licences on paper, but collapse under the slightest impact,” Kapur cautioned. “These substandard helmets are a silent killer, no better than fake medicine. Unless this menace is curbed, road safety laws cannot achieve their purpose.”
Findings from the “Mission Save Lives 2.0” campaign underline the gravity: nearly 70% of helmets sold in Delhi alone were found to be fake, shattering in basic impact tests. Genuine ISI-certified helmets, by contrast, held their shape, offering real protection.
Proposed Solution: Helmets with Every Two-Wheeler
Kapur has called for decisive reforms — including compulsory provision of two ISI-certified helmets with every new motorcycle or scooter purchase, their cost integrated into the vehicle price. “Vehicle manufacturers are ethical players. If real helmets reach consumers first, fake sellers will have no ground to thrive,” he noted.
Action Points Urged by 2WHMA:
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Strict enforcement of Motor Vehicle Rule 138F, mandating helmets at the point of sale.
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Criminal action against counterfeit helmet manufacturers and sellers.
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Consumer awareness to highlight the dangers of fake gear and the importance of BIS-certified helmets.
“The ‘No Helmet, No Fuel’ campaign is a commendable step toward safer roads,” Kapur added. “But without eliminating counterfeit helmets, the rule risks being reduced to a box-ticking exercise. True safety comes only when enforcement and awareness go hand in hand.”
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