asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the fact that a large number of the fatalities arising out of motor cycle accidents are due to head injuries, he will take steps to make the wearing of crash helmets by motor cyclists compulsory.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Crash Helmets for Motor Cyclists.
It is not proposed to make regulations on the lines suggested by the Deputy. I would like to take this opportunity, however, to appeal to motor cyclists to provide themselves, in their own interests, with a suitable type of crash helmet. I understand that of the 26 motor cyclists who received fatal injuries since 1st January last, 20 died as a result of head injuries. The wearing of a suitable crash helmet is therefore very much in the interests of a motor cyclist, but it is a practice which should grow by voluntary action rather than through compulsion.