Despite being discouraged in several cities, half helmets, commonly known as “shorties,” remain popular among two-wheeler riders across Karnataka, defying both safety norms and traffic laws.
Adarsh, a commuter recently relocated to Bengaluru, observed, “In Kochi, I’d be fined for wearing this cap-style helmet.” However, Karnataka hasn’t officially banned them, making enforcement difficult.
DCP Traffic (South) Shivaprakash Devaraju acknowledged the issue, saying cameras can’t differentiate between full and half helmets, making violations easy to overlook despite multiple awareness drives.
Traffic expert Sreehari M N added that these helmets fail ISI certification, leaving the face and jaw dangerously exposed. “Traffic officers have multiple duties and can’t monitor every rider,” he noted.
Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Anand Chavan highlighted the risks, citing severe injury cases linked to low-quality helmets. “Side jaws are left unguarded, making impacts more deadly,” he explained. Only those wearing standard protective gear often survive major crashes.
Ashwini MS, a biking enthusiast, stressed the value of safety: “If you wear a ₹100 helmet, you’re valuing your head the same. My friends lost teeth because of this.”
Tragically, ASI Yellappa Kumbar died in a hit-and-run near Hubballi-Dharwad, succumbing to head injuries. Locals blamed poor road planning and demanded CCTV surveillance to deter reckless driving.
In another incident, Naveen Gowda, fined for riding without a helmet in Bengaluru, argued with police and fled. He was later arrested under BNS Section 132 for obstructing a public servant.