Legendary Indian batsman and Rajya Sabha member Sachin Tendulkar has demanded a strict action against manufacturers of low-quality helmets, continuing his campaign for safe two-wheeler riding. In a letter to India’stransport minister Nitin Gadkari, Tendulkar said amidst of the increasing percentage of the accidents involving two-wheeler drivers, it is important that safety equipments like helmets should be available of premium quality.

In his letter, Sachin wrote, “I am writing to you to request your ministry to consider action against helmet manufacturers using low-grade material and selling it with a fake ISI mark. As sportspersons, we understand the importance of using original high-quality safety equipment when we go to play on the field.”

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He further added, “The same original high-quality standards need to be maintained when it comes to helmets that will be used by two-wheeler riders in India.”

An active campaigner for road safety, Tendulkar has been consistently seen urging people to use helmets, during traffic signal halts, in social media posts. Citing media reports, Tendulkar said that over 70 percent of bike riders in India end up buying fake helmets.

Describing his point further, Tendulkar wrote, “This is an absolute alarming situation considering two-wheelers accounted for over 30 percent of road accidents, the highest among all kind of accidents in 2016. The availability of fake helmets is a danger to two-wheeler riders considering that wearing an appropriate helmet improves chances of survival of bikers by 42 percent.”

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According to the recent reports, the government is looking forward to penalizing non-ISI or fake ISI marked helmet manufacturers but nothing concrete has been done till now. The Bharat Ratna wrote, “I understand that the ministry has been actively working on public safety measures. I would strongly urge your ministry to take strong action against manufacturers of helmets that are putting lives of people at risk by using fake ISI marks on low grade, low-quality helmets that will not protect head injuries in an accident.”

Tendulkar also called for lowering prices of good quality helmets so that bikers do not seek cheaper options. He said, “I look forward to your prompt action and extend my full support to your office to promote safe two-wheeler riding among our citizens.”