Where's your helmet?

[Joe Low]

Many cyclists of all ages have been breaking the law, by not wearing their helmets as required by the National Road Traffic Act, 1993(Act No.93 of 1996).

 

 

A chief traffic officer confirmed that it was illegal to ride a bicycle without a helmet and said an enforcement of the law would follow a public awareness campaign.

He said that the department had not been enforcing the four-month-old law, blaming the three-year interval between the passing of the law and the date of effective enforcement.

"It would be unfair to enforce the law while nobody knows about it," the traffic officer said.

"To be honest, I don't think any provinces have done anything about this yet. An education drive needs to be launched to make the public aware of the new law."

 

 

In October 2004, regulation 207(2) of the National Road Traffic Regulation became effective after being passed three years earlier.

The regulation orders the compulsory wearing of a protective helmet that is properly fastened and fitted while riding a bicycle or being carried as a passenger.

Traffic department officials will be meeting soon with chief magistrates to decide upon a suitable penalty for breaking the helmet law.

 

There you go - in addition to there being no penalties for it, it is actually unenforceable as it is prejudicial to the majority of cyclists.

 

i.e. the burden of compelling all cyclists to wear helmets is unjust - they can't afford them, therefore the law does not have force.

 

So why are you shouting at people over non-existent laws? Seems there must be better things to do.

[Joe Low]

I enjoy riding without a helmet...........I've resorted to asking in return "where's your bell" also required by law.

 

So we all have a choice. Respect each other's wishes, and rather ride responsibly, helmet or not, and try be friendly to each other. Could be a much better place to ride.

 

 

Self-appointed rulegivers are a dark spot on the happy heart of the individual.

 

Jesus had no time for them & neither do I.

 

Am also going to change my signature in honour of this enlightened post*.

 

 

 

(*By which i mean "one that i agree with")

[Willehond]

I've done worse.

 

Yes, he has!