Motorcycle Safety highlighted by RCMP

With the roadways becoming free of snow and ice earlier this year the motorcycles have made their way out on the roadways again.  The RCMP would like to remind the motorcycle riders to be safe and watch for the spring potholes, frost heaves, sand and silt deposits on the roadways.  Each helmet used on a motorcycle rider must meet all 5 of the characteristics.

1. Must have the manufacture's name or identification inside
2. The precise model designation
3. The size of the helmet
4. The month and year of manufacture
5. It must have a safety marking of DOT, SNELL or BSI

The safety markings cannot be stickers affixed to the shell of the helmet.  The safety markings must be painted in with the helmet paint job.

Any helmet that is found to be in use that does not meet the above characteristics will be subject to being seized as evidence under the provincial traffic safety act.  The motorcycle rider will also received a traffic ticket and the motorcycle itself will either be towed or the owner will be forced to push it off the roadway until they can get a certified helmet.

After market novelty helmets which are popular amongst motorcycle riders due to their comfort do not offer the proper protection to the rider.  The use of such helmets can result in serious head injury as a result of a collision.  The use of novelty helmets can also result in loss of payout from insurance companies as well.