Two-wheeler accident deaths are quite rampant in Tamil Nadu, but 2017 was an exceptional year when wearing of helmets was made mandatory.

In 2016, 72 per cent of fatality in two-wheeler accidents was due to non-wearing of helmets but this number came down to 52 per cent in 2017 as wearing helmets was made mandatory and policemen penalised offenders, according to an analysis of road accidents and road safety measures in Tamil Nadu done by three officials – S Krishna, K Geetha and Rabiya Basri – of the Transport Commissioner’s Office.

In 2017, there were 65,652 accidents involving two-wheelers that constituted 38.73 per cent of all accidents followed by four-wheelers with 28.60 per cent and goods carriers with 11.25 per cent. Of the total 16,157 fatalities, two-wheeler accidents claimed 32.94 per cent of lives, followed by four-wheelers (24.72 per cent) and goods carriers (15.51 per cent).

The average daily death in road accidents declined to 44 in 2017 from 47 in 2016. In 2017, 1,56,694 licences were suspended in Tamil Nadu for traffic violations such as using mobile phone while driving and drunk driving. However, in the last few months, policemen have been lenient on those not wearing helmets, and many two-wheeler drivers do not wear helmets. Government officials are worried about the increasing fatalities in accidents involving two-wheeler. The report said that licences of drivers involved in fatal accidents should be suspended for six months.

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