Helmet Laws In Australia

1006 Words3 Pages

With increased use of bicycles across Australia, there is an increased urge that individuals wear a helmet while riding, it is an important necessity to all bike owners, no matter what age. An imperative measure of state road authorities, within Australia, is that all bicycle riders wear helmets while riding in public areas, as it is considered a vehicle; therefore, riders must also obey road rules, as there are consequences for non-compliance. These measures were introduced for the safety and wellbeing of the individual, as it had become apparent that cyclists faced a higher risk of injury, especially brain damage, without the use of a helmet. According to the Australian Competition and consumer commission [AU], the helmets must adhere to …show more content…

These studies optimally prove that wearing a helmet while operating a bicycle improve your chances of survival in the event of an accident and thus also reduce the risk of serious injuries that may occur while not wearing a helmet. Wearing a helmet while riding reduces the chance of death by up to 70%. Studies by the University of new south Wales, have found that along with the reduction in death,’ Helmet use is associated with odds reductions of 51% for head injury, 69% for serious head injury, 33% for face injury and 65% for fatal head injury. Injuries to the neck were rare and not associated with helmet use,’ (Farrell, P. 2016). And while the research does state that wearing a helmet will not eliminate all injuries, it is safer for the rider to wear one, rather than contemplate the effects due to injury had the rider not been wearing a helmet during the accident. And while these statistics prove that wearing a helmet has a greater effect of saving a life, unfortunately, many of the deaths that do occur are from when a collision from another vehicle …show more content…

Evidence from many sources also implements that those who argue with the bike laws or do not adhere to them by wearing a helmet not done up correctly are putting themselves at great risk, not only from the chance of an accidental fall but by increasing the chances of serious injury in the event of a crash with another vehicle. And while the chance of survival with a vehicle collision is limited, depending on the size and weight of the other vehicle, and the speed they were travelling, if you survive and you were wearing a helmet the implications from the injury are significantly lowered. Wearing a helmet is a mandatory law in Australia, the law has been put in place due to this evidence, and while riders may get a fine for not obeying the laws, the police are only trying to enforce and teach riders that cycling becomes a ‘safe and positive activity,’ (Transport for NSW, May 2014) for all road

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