Samarth_M

If your helmet doesn’t have an ISI mark, steer clear of traffic cops. Following orders from Commissioner of Police Arup Patnaik, the traffic department has started fining bikers wearing helmets that don’t meet safety standards. In the last three days, they have fined 643 bikers.

But offenders who have been slapped with fines say that, while they knew of the rule that made helmets compulsory, they were not aware that the helmets needed to be ISI approved.

“I was going towards Churchgate station on my bike when the cops stopped me near Azad Maidan and asked me which helmet I was wearing. I was surprised as I was wearing a helmet as per the rules. They told me that I would have to pay a fine since my helmet didn’t have the ISI mark,” said Asgar Sayed, a resident of Borivali.

“They took me to Azad maidan police station. I argued with them but they told me that it’s our commissioner’s order that I pay the fine. When I refused to pay, they said that if I don’t pay the fine, they will put me in the lock-up and if I had a problem I should approach the court,” he added.

On Friday, the Azad maidan police station had fined more than 10 people for not having ISI-marked helmets.

“May be the commissioner has organised this drive for the safety of the citizen, but when they make such an announcement, they should have advertised it, making it clear that we need to use ISI approved helmets.

At least, then, we would be careful to look for the ISI certification while buying helmets,” said Sanjay Gurav, a resident of Fort who had also been fined for wearing the wrong helmet.

“At least for first-time offenders, they should have let us off with a warning. If there is not publice announcement about this, how are we supposed to know about this move?” added Gurav.

“We are following our commissioner’s orders. We are fining them under section 129 of the Motor Vehicle Act,”said Ashok Thube, a police inspector from the Azad Maidan police station.

Source: Helmet minus ISI mark? Be prepared to pay a fine, News - City - Mumbai Mirror

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Section 129 is silent on what happens to people who own imported helmets with DOT/Snell certifications (Check here for reference: Section 129- Motor Vehicles Act 1988 ).

Technically, even if you're wearing a Rs. 10,000 SHOEI helmet, the cops can still stop you and fine you since it does not have an ISI mark. It's only a matter of time before police realise that people with such helmets are financially capable of paying them the bribes needed to get out of this little loophole.

However, the same section also allows State Governments to make exceptions to this rule. Perhaps we should write to the authorities and ask about this? What do you guys think?

Noor

News approved

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revvhard

They need to first start fining people in Pune for not wearing helmets, checking about the helmets safety standard is a later thing.

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akshayhonda

I absolutely agree to the point mentioned above. As I have 2 helmet with me & neither are ISI certified. One is ECE & other is DOT certified helmet.
Perhaps the best option is to write to the authorities about the know hows & betterness of ECE & DOT/SNELL standards of safety in terms of riding gears

satya_3d

hmmm, dont know how to tackle such situation. dont know why this authority people implement such rules even the cant differentiate between ISI/DOT/ECE mark. they need to catch those people who make duplicate or fraud helmets. its a one big business case.
you can save fine by those roadside helmets but not your Head. we, people of India should be aware of this Helmets then only such non-sense rules can be avoided. and anyone can get isi sticker from roadside helmet seller for just 20 Rs, but then is it the solution for problem? we at xbhp always promote safety and awareness about it, we should not support this movement, we must tell Police about it. motto of ISI marked helmet is good but then bribing under its enforcement doesn't do justice to people.
satya

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anjan6600

same here - I am using my DOT helmet for long ride

aargee

This is a moronic frog in the well attitude from the Govt!!! If I buy a SNELL approved one, I wouldn't hesitate to make a ISI sticker similar to the one on my Studds & Vega in addition to SNELL !!!

Imagine a BELL, Shoei or RJAY's helmet with ISI mark on it; if you happen to see one such (call it moron) do not hesitate for a friendly wave lol

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abhijitkn

It is just a matter of time. I have Rjays & LS2. I'm not going to pay the fine, whatever happens. Unless someone take stand against it for good reason, the authorities will not be educated. Communities like Xbhp should take the initiative & educate both the riders & the lawmen.
Tomorrow is the helmet awareness rally in Mumbai & many of the riders will be riding with non ISI but helmets with higher safety standards & it will be a good opportunity to educate the cops with these standards since many senior officials may be present. Share a whitepaper or document to all explaining the different standards.
EDIT: LS2s now have ISI mark..

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Angelic_Rider

I just have one question. Why on earth do these expensive helmets do not have ISI certification. If it is selling in India there should be a proper certification procedure. I am going to say that these helmets companies are no better than 100rs helmet if they cannot even get a standard ISI certification (I know they are better but they themselves do not care about Indian law). Secondly, in my opinion and as my experience of seeing accidents happening to my friends and accidents seen on highway....I would say all kind of helmets save your life actually.....What matters more is the small strap on your neck fastened tight enough so that your helmet does not come off. As I have seen 75% of helmet wearers do it to avoid traffic policemen and never fasten it. But still ISI standards are good and one should buy ISI standard helmets. And for these Videsi companies....SHAME on you....You cant even apply for ISI standards.....What are you afraid of.....Do you think Indians test their helmets by sledgehammering them like in that DOORDARSHAN video....I know about Impact testing and I guess its the same....may be they are intimidated....Just joking guys...I found a good article sorta thing for introspection....Posting it in 15.