New helmet laws coming in Friday
by Wayne Moore - Story: 75875
May 30, 2012 / 4:12 pm
May 30, 2012 / 4:12 pm
New motorcycle safety regulations come into effect across BC Friday.
The new regulations make it mandatory for all motorcyclists and their passengers to wear helmets that display the proper industry safety certification label.
Helmets must comply with standards outlined by:
New seating laws have also been put in place to protect both riders and passengers.
Police across the province have also been armed with educational materials to distribute to riders to inform them of the new laws.
"Avid riders, road safety advocates, emergency room physicians, police and families of riders have offered very positive feedback about these changes," says Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Shirley Bond.
"They know the laws aren't about taking away from the riding experience, they're simply about saving lives."
Jamie Graham, chair of the BC Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee says police have been asking for improved safety standards for motorcyclists for some time.
"Terrible harm has been caused by inadequate safety equipment and bad personal choices," says Graham.
While the government says it is trying to make motorcyclists safer on the road, it also states two-thirds of all crashes between a motorcycle and another vehicle is the fault of the other vehicle.
ICBC and the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles have partnered on an awareness campaign to inform drivers about the vulnerabilities motorcyclists face.
The campaign focuses on road safety tips aimed to reducing injuries and fatalities. These include:
The new regulations make it mandatory for all motorcyclists and their passengers to wear helmets that display the proper industry safety certification label.
Helmets must comply with standards outlined by:
- The US Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Snell Memorial Foundation 2005 or 2012
- United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE)
New seating laws have also been put in place to protect both riders and passengers.
Police across the province have also been armed with educational materials to distribute to riders to inform them of the new laws.
"Avid riders, road safety advocates, emergency room physicians, police and families of riders have offered very positive feedback about these changes," says Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Shirley Bond.
"They know the laws aren't about taking away from the riding experience, they're simply about saving lives."
Jamie Graham, chair of the BC Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee says police have been asking for improved safety standards for motorcyclists for some time.
"Terrible harm has been caused by inadequate safety equipment and bad personal choices," says Graham.
While the government says it is trying to make motorcyclists safer on the road, it also states two-thirds of all crashes between a motorcycle and another vehicle is the fault of the other vehicle.
ICBC and the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles have partnered on an awareness campaign to inform drivers about the vulnerabilities motorcyclists face.
The campaign focuses on road safety tips aimed to reducing injuries and fatalities. These include:
- Be aware - Check your mirrors frequently, be aware of road conditions that pose hazards to motorcyclists and look carefully for traffic at intersections. It can be difficult to judge the speed and
distance of a motorcyclist so be extra cautious, especially when turning left. - Watch for clues - Watch for signs such as turn signals, shoulder checks or leaning, signaling the rider may turn or change lanes.
- Share the road - Motorcycles use a full lane. Leave at least three seconds of following distance behind a motorcycle.
- Be courteous - Acknowledge riders with a wave or eye contact. Give riders the space they need to change lanes and never try to pass a motorcycle using the same lane.