Style and excuses score over safety

Though the Madhya Pradesh government has once again imposed the strict rule of ‘no helmet, no petrol’, two wheeler riders seem to be still taking things casually. What’s quite interesting is that more often than not these riders have interesting excuses for not wearing a helmet. Several petrol pump owners are denying petrol to those who do not abide by the rule and have even put posters to spread awareness, but riders come prepared with arguments to get their petrol tanks filled.
The Stolen Helmet Tale
Fuel station attendants say that it is especially youngsters who come up with the most unexpected and interesting excuses. Yuvraj Mishra, a fuel station attendant, says, “Young boys and girls plead a lot. A few days ago, two college girls were at the petrol bunk without wearing a helmet. They started pleading with us and narrated a story of how their helmet was stolen and they chased the thief which resulted in their petrol tanks being left with just enough petrol to reach the bunk.”
Unanswered problems
Mukesh Dubey, another fuel station attendant, says, “We get customers who park their two wheelers far from the fuel station and pretend that they had no petrol to drive till the petrol bunk. They bring a bottle with them to fill the petrol.” There are also those who carry their helmets with them on the handlebars of their bike or in the boot of their scooters, but refuse to wear them. When Shalini Verma, a working professional, was asked to put on her helmet, she smiled and said, “I have to go to office and I can’t disturb my hairstyle. Please fill in the petrol.” Mukesh Dubey says, “This is very common here.”
Youngsters carry helmets but hang it on the handlebar. There are times when we have to bear with their arguments and waste our time.”
Borrowing is the best option
This comes as the temporary option for riders as they approach other riders to lend them a helmet for the time being. When businessman Anant Bhavnani was refused fuel, he started arguing that, “It is the duty of the traffic police officials to check who is wearing a helmet or not.” When he was still refused, he went to another customer to borrow one.
Atul Sharma, a petrol pump owner, says, “With the implementation of the rule, it has become common for customers to make excuses or borrow from other riders. If a person can invest in purchasing an expensive vehicle, why can’t they spend a little on headgear for their own safety?”
Emotional blackmail
“I have a medical emergency. I am running short of time so please fill petrol,” said a 25-year-old girl when she was refused petrol for not wearing a helmet. Bharat Vishwakarma, a fuel station attendant, says, “Throughout the day, we get excuses and when nothing works, people start telling us about their medical emergencies and some even say that their doctor has advised them not to wear a helmet because of some medical condition. We are not denying fuel to anyone, but if at all a person is actually advised not to wear a helmet, then the person needs to carry along a proper doctor’s prescription.”
Commuters need to mend their ways
It is sad that commuters don’t understand the importance of wearing helmets that can save their lives. “We keep conducting drives from time to time, but commuters just return to their old ways once the drive ends. The rules are strict this time, and commuters need to follow them,” says DM and collector, Nishant Warwade.
Dr ID Chourasia, a senior neurosurgeon says, “People have several myths about wearing helmets and avoid wearing them. Some claim that wearing a helmet can lead to neck injuries or the weight of the helmet is not allowing them to balance. People should understand the importance of wearing a helmet as other injuries are curable in time, but brain injuries can be fatal. Wearing a helmet is mandatory while riding and it plays an important role in protecting the head in accidents.”