Yesterday while returning from Vrindavan I witnessed a small accident. Nothing major, but what makes it worth mentioning was the attitude of the gent riding pillion on a scooter.

It was roughly 6pm when I reached the Naraina intersection, right when I was about to cross it, the car in front me swerved and braked hard to avoid a collision with the autorickshaw. Between me and the Santro there was a scooter as well and since we all know how good scooters brakes are, despite effort of the scooter rider the scooter managed to kiss Santro’s rear bumper. However the rider managed to keep it upright and the acceleration by Santro’s driver gave him enough room to ride ahead. While the Santro pulled over for an inspection of the aftermath of the collision, scooter continued with his ride.

All this while the pillion on the scooter was holding a half face old helmet in his hand and even after the collision he continued to hold it in his hand rather than wearing it on his head! It made me think how foolish that person must have been, after all most people wakeup after a kick in the ass, at least for a while. However this gent was as carefree as if nothing happened, I mean if I had been foolish enough to sit pillion with out a lid on and went through the same thing, I would have gone ahead and worn that helmet. After all a kick in the ass is God’s own way of pointing your mistake and at the same time kick some sense in to your head, however this gent was more interested in using his helmet as hand accessory than a protective gear meant to protect heads in case of an accident!   Â

My 2cents, if you have helmet then wear it all the time you are on your bike, if you don’t have one buy it, after all a helmet costs less than a funeral!!!