Gujarat Police Push For ‘String Protectors’ For Two-Wheelers: Why?

The Gujarat Police are back again with their initiative to install string protectors on two-wheelers, as the state gears up for Independence Day celebrations on August 15. This initiative aims to protect riders from falling prey to the by-product of this celebratory tradition, i.e. kite strings. 

Yep, you read that right. Kites are flown on a massive scale, and the consequent kite strings i.e. made up of abrasive materials like glass or metals, are notorious for wreaking havoc on two-wheeler riders. Due to their thin structure, it becomes extremely difficult to spot one and such strings have led to small cuts to fatal injuries in the past. 

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How Do String Protectors Work?

The mechanism of a string protector is quite a simple one, wherein motorcycles and scooters are equipped with a looped metal wire fixated on the handlebar and it sits above the rider’s head position. The idea is to catch the unsuspecting wire before it reaches the rider’s neck or face, which are the usual spots where these sharp wires tend to cause grievous injuries. 

The Persistent Problem

‘String Protectors’ are at best a temporary solution. The main culprit here are kite strings, which have become notorious over the years with the usage of new abrasive materials, to make the strings stronger and more rigid. The primary reason for doing so is to gain an advantage during kite fights. 

Additionally, while kite flying during Independence Day is a tradition in the state of Gujarat, this isn’t the only time when the tradition of kite flying is practised in the state. The same problem arises on the eve of “Makar Sankranti” as well. 

(Also Read: Dedicated Two-Wheeler Lanes Might Be Introduced On Indian Roads)

The Long-Term Solution

While traditions cannot be stopped overnight, one can regulate certain dangerous aspects of a traditional practice. In this case, the Government can easily issue a ban on the usage of such dangerous types of strings, and push for less injurious alternatives. If such strings are banned, then such situations only will not arise where a human life is at stake as we have seen many reports of such deaths being reported from across the nation.