The bill submitted by MK Boaz Toporovsky of Mish Atid, which constitutes an amendment to the Traffic Ordinance, regarding the obligation to wear a protective helmet when riding a motorcycle or scooter, passed today (Sunday) in the Ministerial Committee for Legislation and will be voted on in a preliminary reading in the Knesset plenum this coming Wednesday.
The bill seeks to prohibit by law any use of 'half helmets' among drivers of two-wheeled vehicles and their passengers, and to require them to wear a full-face helmet.
""No person shall ride a motorcycle or scooter, nor shall another person ride one, unless they are wearing a protective helmet that meets the requirements set by the Minister, with the approval of the Knesset's Economics Committee, attached to a strap that will prevent it from falling, provided that the helmet protects the maximum area of a person's head," the bill states.
The Traffic Ordinance Law in its current form defines the obligation to wear a helmet when riding a scooter or motorcycle as a life-saver, but without reference to the difference between a full helmet and a 'half helmet,' which does not fully fulfill its purpose and does not protect the head of the two-wheeled vehicle driver.
Today, many riders use a 'half helmet' that does not protect the entire area of the two-wheeled rider's head, including the back, sides, and front. In order to protect the rider, the helmet must fully protect the head, thereby reducing and even preventing head injuries.
MK Toporovsky: "This bill is a reality-driven one in light of the large number of casualties resulting from head and neck injuries among two-wheeled riders and the desire to prevent them. The approval of the law in a preliminary reading this coming Wednesday in cooperation with the National Road Safety Authority, and its acceleration on the path to full legislation are nothing less than life-savers.".
""A well-known case of loss of life due to the use of half-face helmets is the death of former soccer player Avi Cohen, but this is not an isolated case but a well-known phenomenon that is not enforced and that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. It is never too late to save a life.".
Many organizations have expressed support for the bill and published position papers encouraging legislation on the subject, including the National Road Safety Authority, the Green Light Association, the Two-Wheeler Vehicle Importers Association of the Union of Chambers of Commerce, and the Israeli Motorcycle Club.
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