Tvarra Women’s Helmets — Because zero deaths among helmeted riders isn’t a coincidence.
Shop Now →Road Safety Research • 2025
The Invisible Risk on Every Two-Wheeler
When we think of road safety, we think of drivers. But pillion riders — often women and children — make up a silent, unprotected majority. Only 6.7% were wearing helmets. That means over 9 out of 10 people riding pillion are completely unprotected.
Shop Women’s Helmets →What Actually Happens in an Accident
The research tracked 120 pillion riders who suffered traumatic brain injuries. The findings were stark:
68.3%
had skull fractures
59.2%
suffered brain hemorrhage
69.2%
had brain contusions
These aren’t minor injuries. They are direct impacts to the brain — often irreversible.
The Number That Changes Everything
The overall mortality rate in the study was 35.8%. But here’s the detail that stands out:
0
Not a single helmeted rider died.
Among those without helmets, mortality ranged from 32% to over 40%.
Why Women Are at Higher Risk
The study also highlights a pattern unique to India:
- A large proportion of women ride side-saddle
- This position is associated with higher injury severity and mortality
- Combine that with low helmet usage, and the risk compounds
Survival Isn’t the Only Outcome
Even among those who survived:
50%+
were dependent on others after one month
3 mo+
some remained dependent even after three months
The impact isn’t just immediate. It changes lives long after the accident.
A Larger Pattern Across India
Two-wheelers already account for a disproportionate share of road fatalities in India. And pillion riders remain the least protected group within that system. Despite legal requirements, helmet usage for pillion riders continues to be low, and enforcement remains inconsistent.
What This Means
The study doesn’t argue a lifestyle choice. It shows a structural gap:
High Exposure
Millions of pillion riders on Indian roads, every single day
Low Protection
Only 6.7% wearing helmets despite legal requirements
Severe Consequences
35.8% mortality — and one variable that consistently changes outcomes
Source
“Riding at Risk: The Lifesaving Role of Helmets for Motorcycle Pillion Riders”
Asian Journal of Neurosurgery, 2025.
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