M.O.T. keen to stop ‘rubbishy’ helmets

Press, 25 September 1989, Page 8

M.O.T. keen to stop ‘rubbishy’ helmets

PA Dunedin The Ministry of Transport is trying to find a way of screening out “rubbishy” motor-cycle helmets being imported. The controller of vehicle standards in Wellington, Mr Dick Reynolds, said the Government was working on a way to tighten safety standards for motor-cycle helmets, but had not yet found a satisfactory way of doing it ' , „ , ‘Tit the moment we hap no real control overj

the standards of overseas manufacturers and no way of verifying if they have complied with New Zealand standards,” Mr Reynolds said. At one time the Government was thinking of banning the importation of helmets which did not carry a New Zealand or Australian seal of approval, but it had since decided against this form of action, he said. A member of the Bikers Rights Organisation in Mr Pete Harri-

son, said measures like this could mean quality safety gear from overseas would no longer be freely available to New Zealand riders. Mr Harrison said he was not trying to run down local products and firmly believed in buying New Zealand-made goods wherever practicable. “But the fact remains the best in safety is often imported,” he said. A member of the Automobile Association in Dunecjto, Mr George To-

field, said he believed the Government’s proposals would lower the standard of safety gear available. “Many manufacturers would not bother to get their helmets tested in such a small market like New Zealand or Australia, and New Zealanders may miss out on some of the safest helmets available on the market. “That sort of thing would be ridiculous,” he said. “It would put curbs on innovation.” Mr Reynolds saw, the

Ministry did not want to discourage good-quality helmets from coming into New Zealand. It simply wanted to find a way of “screening the rubbish out.”

“With some exceptions we are quite happy to accept overseas safety* standards so long as they meet the New Zealand requirements. “Unfortunately there are those that don’t and these helmets should not be available on the market,” he said.