Check your helmet - is it out of date?

[Diesel]

Just heard that some Trike enthusiasts got pulled over by the fuzz and were having their helmets' compliance checked.


A few were found to be 'out of date' and the owners received a fine.     


Apparently your helmet has an expiry date and needs to be changed before this date comes round. (3-5 years)


Can anyone shed any light on this?


This happened in NSW (I think).


Cheers, Diesel

[Brock]

I havent heard of this. Your local MRA may have some information that is up to date, as they have been heavily into the helmet debacle.

If the police did do this, then they would have to be able to state/show where it is laid down. It may be in the NSW rules, or they may have made it up...  The average cop, has about as much knowledge of the helmet laws/rules/standards as we do, maybe even less.

I do know that it is recommended that they be replaced every 5 years.

Its not so long ago, that WA stopped checking helmets for compliance, as Standards Aust doesnt exist as such any more, and hasnt issued stickers for many years.

[Biggles]

Hoo boy!  They're getting picky now!

I checked my compliance sticker and there is no date, unless it's encoded in a number there.
If there's a manufacturing date under the liner, I can't see too many Cops wanting to fossick around inside sweaty helmet liners looking for it.

[Brock]

Of course, the persons could take the option to go to court and say that they have taken all reasonable means to find out what the expiry date is.

By pleading not guilty, the charging officer ( apart from wasting a day in court)  would have to provide the legislation that applied

[alans1100]

Nothing in the NSW helmet rules that makes it compulsory.

http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/motorcyclists/motorcyclehelmets.html

As a suggestion here for an answer to the second question under FAQ

http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/downloads/safer_motorcycle_helmets.pdf

When should I replace my motorcycle helmet?

You need to replace your helmet if it has been involved in a crash. If it's been properly taken care of and hasn't been involved in a crash or another impact, it should be replaced approximately once every five years, or every three years if used regularly. The helmet’s shells and foam liners are made of materials which will deteriorate with time, heat and humidity in which sometimes the deterioration is not visible for inspection, so don’t rely on this. Hair oils, body fluids and cosmetics also contribute to helmet degradation. Petroleum-based products present in cleaners, paints, fuels and other common materials may also degrade materials used in many helmets, possibly degrading performance.

Only looked for NSW but any recent changes might not be online yet.

[Neale]

I'd be more inclined to think they got done for wear and tear rather than expiry date. More likely frayed or damaged straps or similar.

[tj189]

Would like to see a copy of the ticket.....otherwise it sounds like a phurpy to me

[JuST Peter]

As far as I am aware, once the compliance sticker wears away or fades, the helmet is no longer legal to use/wear, and if you try to take the sticker off another helmet, you'll find the word "VOID"in big letters - not that I've done it, y'understand