A study conducted by Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG) in 11 districts in Tamilnadu revealed that helmet compliance among children across these districts ranged from very low to negligible. This is despite Tamil Nadu consistently topping the list for road crashes from 2018 to 2022, the study said.

In Trichy, Madurai, Chengalpattu, and Kanchipuram, helmet compliance among children was negligible. In Chennai, Cuddalore, Tiruvarur and Tiruvannamalai, compliance rates were low, falling below 25%.

The primary aim of this study was to assess helmet usage across various districts in Tamil Nadu. Specifically, the report focuses on analysing compliance with helmet laws in 11 districts: Chennai, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Trichy, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruvarur, Coimbatore, Cuddalore, and Salem. By emphasising the critical role of helmets and examining compliance trends, the study aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders to implement effective measures for improving road safety for vulnerable two-wheeler users, said Sowmya Kannan, Researcher of CAG.

The study was conducted during observance of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims in November 2024. Two intersections each in 11 districts were chosen in Tamil Nadu to assess compliance with the helmet law and approximately 1000 samples collected during peak hours in morning and evening.

The findings of the study also said when the examining helmet compliance among adults, including both drivers and pillion riders, it was notably low in seven districts: Chengalpet, Kanchipuram, Madurai, Cuddalore, Trichy, Thiruvarur, Tiruvannamalai, all falling below 50%. In Chennai, Tirunelveli, and Salem, compliance rates among adults exceeded 50%. However, in Tirunelveli, specifically at the Vannarapettai Nellaiappan High Road near Chennai Silks intersection, helmet compliance among adults was over 75%. Upon inquiry, it was found that this intersection consistently has the presence of traffic police, with strict enforcement of penalties, contributing to the higher compliance observed at this location.

Overall, helmet compliance among adults remains very low, even in Chennai, where compliance rates did not exceed 75% at any intersection. The consistently low compliance among adults directly influences the low or nearly non-existent helmet use among children, as previously observed. Divya Senthil, senior researcher said when parents fail to recognise the life-saving importance of helmets for themselves and remain negligent, it is not surprising that they do not emphasize the need for their children to wear helmets either.

The districts of Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Salem and Chennai have the highest helmet compliance levels among adults. The districts of Salem and Tirunelveli have the highest helmet compliance levels among children.

Enforcement alone is insufficient to bring about sustained behavioral change. Combining it with educational initiatives significantly enhances effectiveness, making joint campaigns eight times more effective than enforcement alone and 12 times more effective than education alone, said Ms Divya.