Current State of Helmet Standards in OZ

http://roadrider.com.au/special-features/state-of-helmets

Heard that there was a move on for the acceptance of foreign helmet  standards in OZ and stumbled across this article.

Interesting read, seems like a total clusterfcuk; wouldn't argue with a copper but would be prepared to run it past a magistrate.

What a crock of shit that all is. I may print a copy of that story and laminate it and keep it on the bike, so if I get asked about my helmet I can show the cop what a crock it is.

Great link Dekenai.

I thought this was good - "What’s truly beaut is that a helmet meeting the new NSW road rules is legal to use in Queensland, but only some helmets that are legal to use in Queensland are now legal to use in NSW."

I thought this was better - "A helmet that is legal to use under the new NSW Road Rules is illegal to use in the ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia."

And then I read the crowning glory - "For motorcycle riders in the ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, SA and WA, this means that ANY new motorcycle helmet is illegal to use under their Road Rules"


In fact the only thing I could find that made sense was your statement  - "What a total clusterfcuk"

This makes perfect sense;
To the police: If a rider has a helmet on, that’s enough for now. You don’t look for stickers on seatbelts, just that they’re being used. Bookings for “unapproved helmet” are likely to prove unsound in court.

It's beaurecracy at its finest. You can land a Shoei XR 1100 for less than half price from the states. The sticker costs $400 apparently. It's the same helmet!

And the problem is ?????

They're no use Barry - the wording said they are not to be removed from the sticker sheet!  

Ewok1958 wrote:They're no use Barry - the wording said they are not to be removed from the sticker sheet!  

Barry is lucky they were delivered with the name and address all covered in texta

Here's something posted awhile back on another site, good to see the rules are there to protect us and not just bureaucratic red tape:

" A few years ago the way the AS test was done for strap and buckle
was changed. It's now almost impossible to get any type of
fitment approved other than a D-ring.

Incidentally, this change resulted in a few failures from a well-known
helmet brand (ElDorado). The brand had successfully passed safety testing
on the same model of helmet for 15 years, but due to the bureaucratic
change in test method, it failed a few straps, and the government forced
the company to recall and replace 15 years of helmet sales for no charge.
Fortunately most aussies considered this a complete load of BS and didn't
come in droves for a free helmet. However the company still ended up
closing its doors.

Millions of dollars of costs, and a company closing doors and firing
all its workers, for complying with the rules at the time,
but not complying with a standard that hadn't
been invented yet. That's our government.

I seem to recall that might have been Australia's last helmet maker, too? "

barry_mcki wrote:And the problem is ?????

Yes please if you have a few left.

Before I get myself into any more trouble.....I found the picture on the interweb thingie Officer, honest...  

barry_mcki wrote:Here's something posted awhile back on another site, good to see the rules are there to protect us and not just bureaucratic red tape:

While the rules aren't there just to make money for state governments, it's often hard to see what other use they serve...

It's a pity helmets couldn't be incorporated in the Australian Design Rules.

The ADRs recognise equivalent standards from around the world and accept seat belts, lights, etc that have been proven to comply with European Standards(E in a circle with a number), Japanese Industry Standards (JIS) & the USA's Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVS)

If helmets came under the ADRs State Legislation would be over ruled by the ADRs and the other standards would be acceptable

That's what I was hoping.  Choice would not only reduce cost, but allow us to choose helmets from standards that are more appropriate.

For instance, I understand that the EU standard ECE 22-05 requires much lower G transfer than AS1698 and is probably better for older riders as their (our) aged skulls can cope with less.

Ultimately, allow the major standards (ECE, DOT and JIS), and let the rider decide.

Unfortunately with the current debacle with the status of government budget cuts and "effeciency dividens", there is no Federal Agency that is going to voluntarily take on more work. The Department of Infrastructure and Regional Developement (who control the ADRs) will be scrambling to find funds to keep their own jobs let alone looking at new work.