TOI’s AccordingIn Kerala, installing a camera on a helmet can lead to a fine of Rs 1,000 or even suspension of the rider’s driving license for three months. As per the report, the state had proposed a ban on such cameras last year saying that it distracts the attention of the riders.
According to the Kerala MVD, mounting a camera on a helmet compromises the strength of its overall structure, which may render it incapable of performing its job properly in the event of an accident. While most action camera manufacturers state that cameras and mounts are designed to break in the event of a collision, there are some concerns about them.
The report notes that the major governing body for motorsports, the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), has banned helmet-mounted cameras on race tracks. Helmet-mounted action cameras were also blamed in the investigation into F1 legend Michael Schumacher’s skiing accident in 2013.
The publication further informs that some outside agencies have conducted tests indicating that the helmet-mounted cameras may actually absorb some of the impact during an accident. However, these studies have not yet been officially accepted.
Certainly it is prudent to use action cameras to record the journey and for safety in case of any incident on the road, but it is not necessary that it should be mounted only in the helmet. Riders can also safely mount action cameras on their two-wheelers, where it will not be considered illegal. In addition, chest mounts are also an option.