BY any stretch of the imagination, riding a two-wheeler in the free-for-all that is Karachi’s chaotic traffic is to play Russian roulette with one’s life.

The gamble becomes far more risky if one does so without protective headgear. Thus, the announcement by Karachi traffic police that helmets are now mandatory for all motorcycle riders, including women riding pillion, was long overdue. However, it seems safety regulations that should apply across the board can, instead, be gender-specific.

After a public outcry greeted the eminently sensible decision, women have been declared exempt from the rule.

In the absence of an organised and family-friendly mass transit system, one frequently comes across multiple individuals perched precariously on one motorcycle — not to mention all manner of bulky, inanimate objects as well.

Until the government addresses this yawning gap in civic amenities, it is perhaps unreasonable to suggest that the practice of ferrying entire families on motorcycles be discontinued. However, it is certainly possible to make this mode of transport safer.

According to data by the Road Traffic Injury Research and Prevention Centre at Karachi’s Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, those using two-wheelers for conveyance constitute the largest group of road casualties at over 60pc, with pedestrians coming in second.

Motorcyclists and pillion riders are, needless to say, particularly at risk of head injuries. A comprehensive study in India illustrated that the mortality rate is six times higher among motorcyclists without protective headgear.

Moreover, the study also found that the mortality rate among pillion riders was marginally higher than riders without helmets. It is conceivable that women in Pakistan who tend to ride side-saddle are more at risk even in the case of mild collisions.

Given these realities, it should be compulsory not only for women but also children on motorcycles to wear helmets, protests against this notwithstanding.

However, to glide more smoothly over the ‘cultural’ speed bump, it may be worthwhile to have a media campaign highlighting the importance of wearing helmets, regardless of gender.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2015

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