Cheap helmets costing between Rs 200 and Rs 500 are coming under scrutiny in Odisha, with road-safety experts warning that many roadside products may lack prescribed safety certification and could fail to protect riders during a crash.
The low-cost helmets are widely available at roadside stalls and weekly markets and remain popular among two-wheeler users because of their affordability. However, experts say wearing a helmet does not necessarily ensure protection if the product is poorly made or unable to absorb impact.
“Many riders believe they are safe simply because they are wearing a helmet. But a poor-quality helmet can crack on impact and may not protect the head adequately. The quality of the helmet is as important as wearing one,” said Syed Maqbool Ali, a road-safety expert and former member of the National Road Safety Council.
Ali said low-cost helmets were often bought to avoid traffic penalties rather than to provide effective protection. Students and daily commuters, he added, frequently choose cheaper products without checking whether they meet safety standards.
Traffic officials have also warned riders to verify a helmet’s compliance with prescribed safety norms before purchasing it. “Using substandard helmets creates a false sense of security and can have serious consequences in the event of a crash,” a senior traffic official said.
Retailers selling certified helmets said such products undergo testing and are designed to provide stronger protection in high-impact collisions. They typically include stronger outer shells, impact-absorbing liners and secure retention systems, although they cost more than the products commonly sold at roadside markets.
The distinction is important because a helmet that cracks or breaks during a collision may leave a rider exposed despite meeting the basic appearance of compliance. Experts and officials therefore say consumers should examine safety markings and prescribed standards rather than choose a helmet only on the basis of price.
The concern comes as helmet use has become more widespread among two-wheeler riders, partly because of enforcement against violations. Road-safety experts say improved compliance will have limited value if riders are using products that do not provide adequate crash protection.
P V Raman, a member of a city-based road-safety organisation, said the group had seen cases in which riders survived serious crashes while wearing good-quality helmets, as well as instances where low-quality helmets shattered on impact. “Price should not be the only factor while choosing a helmet,” he said.
Road-safety activists have urged the government and civil-society organisations to conduct public-sensitisation drives on certified helmets and raise awareness about the risks associated with substandard products. The report did not specify any new enforcement drive or government order, leaving consumer awareness and the verification of safety standards as the immediate measures identified by experts and officials.
