Filmmaker gives Delhi women a heads-up

Sparks off debate on whether wearing helmets should continue to be optional for the fairer sex

While Delhiites are debating on Facebook whether wearing helmets for women riding two-wheelers be made mandatory, a filmmaker has hit the road to spread the word. 42-year-old Ullhas PR takes two mannequins and places them at Jantar Mantar every day and lectures passers-by about passing a law to enforce wearing of helmets by women riders.u00a0


Safety first: Ullhas along with the two mannequins.

Last Monday, comments of joint commissioner of police (traffic) Satyendra Garg's on the social networking site, saying that helmets should be mandatory for all two-wheeler riders, had sparked a debate on whether wearing helmets should continue to be optional for women.

Ullhas said: "I cannot ask any woman to wear a helmet and display our message, so I have bought two mannequins for the campaign.

Curious passers-by stop when they see these dummies and after reading the message, they agree that there is an urgent need for the law."

Ullhas, said: "I was making a film on women's safety when I realised how vulnerable women are while riding two-wheelers. I have sent helmets to everyone in the power corridor to think and make the necessary changes."

64
No. of women who lost their lives last year in road mishaps

37
Women have died in Delhi due to road accidents this year

Protaction
The Central Motor Vehicle Rules say that any person riding a two-wheeler, whether driving or pillion, has to wear a helmet at all times. However, the state governments have the power to grant exemption.
Delhi government has exempted all women on two-wheelers from wearing helmets since 1999.