Bangalore police recently prohibited the use of headphones while driving or riding by placing them under the helmet or using Bluetooth devices.
The Two-wheeler Helmet Manufacturers Associations (THMA) today opposed the decision of the Bangalore police, while expressing its support for the technology and its usage while driving.
A press release from the association has pointed out that Bluetooth is a technology used and permitted while driving worldwide. 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. People live in an era where everyone is driving any 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.
Rajeev Kapur, President, THMA,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 prohibitory to safe driving. Also, India is not the only country to adopt it. It’s already being used in the US 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 driver-friendly.”
Explaining the usage of Bluetooth technology in the helmet, Kashish Kapur, Director, Steelbird Hi-Tech India, said the 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.
The ‘Bluetooth or ‘hands-free’ devices as accessories to the helmet provide a much safer option for navigation as it obviates the need of the rider to take recourse to conventional methods of navigation, the release added.
NB: Photo is representational; courtesy: Steelbird.