Archive · 13 Jun 2025
Steelbird Launches Road Safety Mission to Save Lives in India
A company called Steelbird Helmets is starting a project called "Mission Save Lives 2.0 India" to make roads safer in India.
The main goals are to make sure everyone wears good helmets and to stop the sale of fake helmets.
They plan to make helmets more affordable and mandatory, starting in big cities.
They also want to increase the number of helmets made and reduce taxes on them to make them cheaper.
The plan aims to protect two-wheeler riders and pedestrians by enforcing safety measures and making it easier to get safe helmets.
Steelbird Helmets launched 'Mission Save Lives 2.0 India' at a road safety summit.
The mission focuses on reducing road fatalities, particularly among two-wheeler riders and pedestrians.
It addresses the issue of counterfeit helmets, estimating 95% of BIS license holders produce substandard helmets.
The plan includes phasing in mandatory helmet use, starting with Tier 1 cities in 2028.
Key components involve stringent licensing reforms, increased helmet manufacturing, and reduced GST on helmets.
- Who
- Led by Mr. Rajeev Kapur, Managing Director of Steelbird Helmets, with participation from government officials and industry experts.
- What
- Steelbird Helmets launched 'Mission Save Lives 2.0 India' to improve road safety.
- When
- Launched at a National Summit on Vulnerable Road Users and Road Safety.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- To address the alarming road safety crisis and reduce road fatalities.
Current Challenges
Proposed Solutions
Counterfeit Helmets
Current Challenges
Substandard helmets flooding the market put lives at risk
Proposed Solutions
Need for stringent licensing reforms
Helmet Taxation
Current Challenges
Helmets currently are taxed at 18% GST, categorizing them as non-essential items.
Proposed Solutions
The mission advocates for reducing GST to 12% and reclassifying helmets as essential.
- Road Fatalities in 2023
- Approximately 1.72 lakh
- Injuries in 2023
- Approximately 4.63 lakh
- Two-wheeler deaths (2023)
- Around 77,000
- Estimated Deaths linked to non-use of helmets
- 54,000
- Pedestrian Deaths
- Around 35,000
- Fake Helmet Manufacturers (estimate)
- 95%
- Helmet GST reduction proposed
- From 18% to 12%
