- By Yashashvi Tak
- Thu, 01 May 2025 10:59 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Uttar Pradesh Transport Commissioner has directed to enforce the use of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certified helmets and ordered a crackdown on manufactures and sellers violating these regulations, aiming to reduce the growing number of road accident deaths, officials said on Wednesday.
The order passed during a state road safety council meeting which was led by Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, On April 1 to reduce road mishaps in the state.
According to official data, Transport Commissioner B.N. Singh stated that Uttar Pradesh reported 46,052 road accidents in 2024, leading to 24,118 fatalities. “Data shows that 51 percent of individuals are between the ages of 18 and 35. The trend is alarming, and it is a loss for families and the state as well,” Singh said, as per the HT report.
Singh said the role of two-wheelers in these fatalities,“Records show that 80 per cent of registered vehicles in the state are two-wheelers, so it is important to use BIS-certified helmets.” He added that officials have been instructed to enforce compliance with helmet safety standards and take strict action, including filing FIRs, against sellers and manufacturers found violating the regulations.
The directives have also been issued to district officials in Gautam Budh Nagar to ensure local enforcement of the helmet safety norms. “We have also asked them to intensify awareness campaigns to educate the public about the importance of wearing BIS-certified helmets for their safety,” Singh added.
According to the state UP Transport Department statement the 1998 Motor Vehicle Act and the 1989 Central Motor Vehicle Rule are mandatory to use the BIS (ISI) certified helmets for all two-wheeler riders.
As per the Section 129, both the rider and any co-passanger above the age of four will have to wear a certified helmet. Violations are classified as punishable offences under Section 177, while Section 138(4)(f) requires two-wheeler dealers to provide BIS-certified helmets to buyers at the time of sale.
The Transport Department has discovered that many two-wheeler dealers continue to flout these regulations by providing substandard helmets to customers, despite the legal requirement to supply only BIS-certified helmets at the time of sale.
According to the data from Noida Traffic police, the district reported 1,156 road accidents in 2024, resulting in 966 injuries and 462 deaths. At the same time, more than 2.8 million traffic fines have been issued, with motorcyclists accounting for 2 million of these violations. In the first three months of 2024 over 810,000 fines were issued out of which 354,000 (43 per cent) were issued to bikers for not wearing helmets.
What Is BIS Certified Helmets
BIS certified helmets, often marked with the ISI (Indian Standards Institute) mark, signifies safety and quality standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in India. This certification ensures that helmets are reliable and provide adequate protection in difficult situations.
In India, helmets for two-wheeler riders, and certain industrial safety helmets, are required to have BIS certification before they can be sold or distributed in the market.
The BIS sets specific standards, like IS 4151:2015 for two-wheeler helmets, that ensure the helmet's material, construction, and performance meet certain safety requirements.
The helmet with the ISI mark is a visual indicator that it has been tested and certified by the BIS, demonstrating its compliance with Indian standards.
BIS certification promotes quality control in the manufacturing process, ensuring that helmets consistently meet the specified safety benchmarks.
The certification assures that helmets are designed to protect the head during accidents or impacts by absorbing impact, reducing the risk of injuries.