Look Twice

Design Brief

Look Twice - Improve safety in Riding motorcycles

Re-design the motor-cycle helmet to help improve the safety of riders.

Background

Although it is mandatory by law in Ghana to put on a helmet when riding, there are many barriers to complete compliance. A major issue is that enforcement organisations frequently fail to uphold the law. Due to less funding allocation, Ghana's police force cannot work on enforcing traffic regulations adequately. Also, owing to corruption or a lack of knowledge about the value of wearing a helmet, certain law enforcement officials might not prioritise upholding the law.

Problem

The fact that most individuals need to understand the benefits of wearing a helmet is another problem. Many motorcycle riders and drivers choose not to wear helmets out of basic ignorance because they believe they are unpleasant or ineffective. This lack of knowledge on this issue is compounded by cultural and societal norms that could consider helmet use uncool or outdated. Furthermore, many drivers and passengers—particularly those from low-income families—face this problem since helmets are expensive to buy and maintain.

The problem of low helmet use in Ghana is wider than the lack of enforcement or low awareness of the populace. There are also issues related to the quality and availability of helmets. The mass of helmets sold in Ghana are not of any better quality due to the cost trade-off and may not adhere to international safety standards. In some instances, worn-out, second-hand helmets from people in other nations that may not have been adequately maintained have been sold in the illegal economy, or "Obroni wa wu", which is a common term now. Due to the poor quality and scarcity of helmets, it is problematic for drivers and passengers to follow the law and protect themselves against head injuries in the case of a collision.