Time for compulsion

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33121, 11 January 1973, Page 8

Time for compulsion

The big increase in the number of motor-cyclists killed last year must give added weight to the campaign to make the wearing of safety helmets compulsory for all motor-cyclists and pillion riders, regardless of the speed at which they travel. Last year 76 motor-cyclists died—3s per cent more than in 1971, although only 22 per cent more motor-cycles were registered. Two Christchurch doctors whose work frequently involves treatment of injured motorcyclists—Mr A. B. Mackenzie, an orthopaedic surgeon, and Dr R. D. Scott, senior casualty officer at Christchurch Hospital—have appealed recently for the wearing of helmets to be made compulsory for all motor-cyclists. Their appeal should be carefully considered by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Road Safety when the Minister of Transport (Sir Basil Arthur) asks the committee to reconsider legislation on this subject.

When the relative numbers of cars and motorcycles on the road are taken into account motorcyclists are almost four times as likely to be killed as motorists. Head injuries, especially to motorcyclists not wearing helmets, cause many of the deaths. Yet 13 per cent of riders and 24 per cent of passengers on motor-cycles travelling at more than 30 miles an hour—when the wearing of helmets is already compulsory—were not wearing helmets when stopped by traffic officers during a recent survey. In spite of the proven value of helmets in reducing injuries in any accident, a third of all motor-cyclists travelling below 30 miles an hour and half the pillion passengers were not wearing helmets. Onerous as it might seem to introduce further compulsion on the roads, nothing short of such a law. strictly enforced, seems likely to reduce the toll of death and injury. The value of the compulsory wearing of seat belts in cars has been proved: and the action of clipping on a seat belt has become virtually automatic for most motorists. Donning a helmet should become part of the ” cockpit drill ” for anyone who rides a motor-cycle.