Nitin Gadkari Advocates for Discounted Helmets with Two-Wheelers

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has urged two-wheeler manufacturers to provide helmets at a discounted rate to vehicle purchasers to reduce road accident fatalities. Noting that over 50,029 people died in 2022 due to not wearing helmets, Gadkari also highlighted the challenges in effectively enforcing traffic laws.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday advocated for two-wheeler manufacturers to offer helmets at a discounted or reasonable rate to vehicle purchasers to help reduce road accident fatalities. Initially addressing an event, Gadkari stressed that 50,029 people lost their lives in 2022 due to not wearing helmets.

Gadkari emphasized, ''I am thinking of requesting two-wheeler manufacturers... if they can give some reasonable discount on helmets to the purchaser of the vehicle, then we can save lives.''

Addressing broader road safety issues, the minister pointed out that effective enforcement of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 remains a significant challenge. He also noted the need for better planning of school bus parking arrangements and the ambition to establish driving schools in every taluka in the country.

A report titled ''National Strategy for Prevention of Unintentional Injury,'' compiled by the Ministry of Health, highlighted that road crashes are responsible for the most unintentional injury deaths in India, with overspeeding being the primary cause.

(With inputs from agencies.)