Helmets Can Save 15,000 Lives Every Year: United Nations Study

A helmet study done by the United Nations has revealed that 15,000 lives can be saved, if they wore proper helmets.

By Rajkamal

Updated: Tuesday, November 29, 2016, 12:41 [IST]

According to a recent study conducted by the United Nations (UN), four out of every ten accident victims who die due to road accidents can be saved, if they had a proper helmet on.

Helmets Can Save 15,000 Lives Every Year — UN Study

According to the estimate, 15,000 lives can be saved per year, if motorcyclists wear appropriate helmets. India has a record of maximum two-wheeler related deaths.

As per recorded accidents in the year 2015, two-wheeler accidents claimed 36,800 victims and left around 93,400 injured. These numbers could have drastically been lower, if riders had proper helmets.

The UN Motorcycle Helmet Study says, "Motorcyclists are 26 times more likely to die in road crash than drivers of passenger cars. Wearing an appropriate helmet improves their chances of survival by 42 percent and helps avoid 69 percent of injuries to riders."

The study further says, "As many as 1.4 million (14 lakh) those fatalities can be avoided with the proper use of safety helmets. The study also pointed out that how motocycles, or two-wheelers is a primary mode of transport for people in India.

According to Dr. MC Misra, Director and Dean of AIIMS, "Wearing a good helmet and tying it properly can prevent loss of lives in 90 percent of accident cases. We call it helmet vaccine."

Rohit Baluja, a Road Safety Expert says, "In India, over 78 percent of vehicles are two-wheelers, and while wearing helmet is very important for riders, road users must follow the rules and enforcement has to be key.