Nigerian Motorcyclists Dodge Helmet Laws By Wearing Vegetables

Motorcyclists in Nigeria have been wearing dried pumpkin shells on their heads to dodge new laws forcing them to wear helmets, authorities have said.

Officials in the northern city of Kano said they had stopped several people with "improvised helmets", following this month's introduction of the law.

Road safety officials said calabash-wearers would be prosecuted.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[reniceblue]

@ frantaylor: i won't waste my time responding to you.

@ wadenelson: that's more like it. however, i don't think the problem is affordability. it's education. they don't see the rationale behind the law, or how putting on a helmet can save their lives. if the FRSC gives seminars including demonstrations, videos, photos of instances showing the benefits of using a helmet, as well as what to look for in a helmet, it would certainly make them understand. i'm pretty sure they can afford to buy a helmet. i've seen many commercial bike guys using quality helmets at work. the village guys get a calabash because they think it's a smart way to cut costs, lol.

as per the fear of infection... well... arrrrggghhh!! still the risk would be the same anywhere such modes of transport exist.

the voodoo bit? i dunno who believes that crap. the uneducated ones as well i guess.

[Semaj51]

Why is this article posted in the "Green" section?

[mamacat]

This article would be funny, if it weren't so sad. I imagine that most of these folks without helmets die when they have a serious accident, or turn into vegetables themselves.

[ranchero42]

That's pretty funny. Kinda like the seventies, when new California laws didn't designate how the helmet should be worn, so many bikers strapped them to their knee.

[wadenelson1]

We've probably got enough used helmets in USA to give every nigerian biker one free. Assuming they want one.

[frantaylor]

DEAR SIR,

I am Doctor Thaddeus McVegetable from Nigeria, my uncle has died and we will be able to buy motorcycle helmets for all, if you forward your bank account information to me.

[DrFelch]

You beat me to it, fran.