Two Wheeler Helmet Manufacturer Association opposes Bangalore police’s move to issue challans for Bluetooth usage while riding and driving.
Anchor Madhu
New Delhi : The Bangalore police has recently said that using headphones while driving or riding by placing them under the helmet or using Bluetooth devices is prohibited. Two wheelers Helmet Manufacturers Associations strongly opposes this decision of the Bangalore police and shows its support for the technology and its usage while driving.
The Association has pointed out the fact that Bluetooth is a technology used and permitted while driving world-wide. Most four wheelers in the current times are providing Bluetooth and likewise there are bluetooth enabled two wheelers. The reason for offering this technology is logical and simple– the technology is changing. We are living in an era where everyone is driving any kind of vehicle with the help of GPS Maps. Cars are providing GPS Maps for ease of comfort while driving. It simply helps to reach the right destination. Hence technology in no way is a hindrance.
Commenting on the use of Bluetooth being made illegal by Bangalore Police, Mr. Rajeev Kapur, President, Two Wheelers Helmet Manufacturers Association said, ‘This has come as a shock to the two-wheeler and the helmet industry. Bluetooth is certainly safer than holding the phone in your hand while driving a car or riding a two-wheeler. This technology is an enabler and not a prohibitory to safe driving. Also, India is not the only country to adopt it. It’s already being used in the USA by SNELL, BELL etc., Australia by Forcite, China by Livall and LS2 and many other countries and we certainly don’t want to lag behind in terms of technology and things that are enablers for best safety practices and driver friendly.’
Further Mr. Kashish Kapur, Director, Steelbird Hi-Tech India Limited said, ‘Bluetooth is an extremely useful technology while driving, in fact many helmet brands are integrating this technology in their helmet models. Also there is great demand for the helmet models that have inbuilt Bluetooth. And the reason is simple, it offers comfort while riding. It is any day safer than holding a mobile phone.
Explaining the usage of bluetooth technology in the helmet, Mr. Kashish Kapur further said, ‘bluetooth or hands free devices are put as accessories to the helmet, and are not an inherent or intrinsic component of the helmet as such. These accessories are not intended for the exclusive use by the rider of the motorcycle or two-wheeler, but the utility of such accessories/devices are far wide spread. This accessory with helmet can also be used by the ‘pillion’ rider in the case of motorcycle or two-wheeler, for whom also wearing the helmet is compulsory. It provides safety to the pillion rider as the rider can properly sit and have complete grip while riding. Further the device is very usable for the purpose of navigation during moto-rallies, industrial activities, construction activities, etc. It can also be used and is being used by security forces in the situation of insurgency.’
Moreover it will also not be entirely accurate to conclude that the only use which such accessories may be put to is to make or receive phone calls. A rider may such accessories in sync with the GPS of the mobile phone for the purposes of navigation for which, in the absence of such device, the rider conventionally depended on his own knowledge of the directions, assistance of passersby or, at the risk of his own safety and that of others, was constrained to earphones or (worst still) keep looking at the phone screen for navigation, thereby distracting the rider and increasing the prospect of him meeting with accidents, often fatal.
The ‘bluetooth’ or ‘handsfree’ devices as accessories to the helmet provides a much safer option for navigation as it obviates the need of the rider to take recourse to conventional methods of navigation.
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