Voice support for dark visors now!

You’ll have to get a move on if you want to have your say on whether dark visors should be made legal.

The period for public consultation closes in just four weeks time. The Government has made it clear that it’s not keen on the idea of black visors, and it’s up to us to convince them otherwise.

The next meeting of the committee takes place this week (we’ll carry the full report in MCN May 22), while the public consultation process will close on June 14.

To make it easier for you to have your say, we’ve reproduced a copy of the consultation paper (right) for you to fill in.

After consulting industry experts and bike groups we have marked the answers that are most likely to help change the law to allow dark visors during daylight hours. Once you’ve filled in the form send it to us and we’ll arrange a handover before the closing date.

MCN, EMAP Automotive, Media House, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA or fax: 01733 468028.

FILL THIS IN TODAY (suggested answers in bold)

Your name and address:

Your interest in this policy:

Signed:

1)Is it necessary to have a visor with a light transmittance as low as 18% in order to benefit from some increased comfort from prolonged exposure?

A1.a q YES A1.b q No

2)Given the level of misuse identified by ICE Ergonomics, would it be advisable to explicitly ban such visors at night?

A1.a q YES A1.b q No

3)If an explicit night-time wearing ban were to be introduced, could it be effectively enforced to the extent that it would prevent or greatly reduce the use of dark visors at night?

A1.a q YES A1.b q No

4)4In order to encourage the wearing of visors which are appropriate for the prevailing lighting conditions, would it be sensible to permit visors with an 18% light transmittance only if they can be fitted to a helmet which has a quick release mechanism? A1.a q A1.a YES b q No

Option Two

5)Would a visor with a light transmittance of 34% give sufficient additional benefits, in terms of increased comfort in bright conditions, to make a change from the current 50% minimum worthwhile? A1.a q Yes A1.b q NO

6)Given this, would it be advisable to explicitly ban such visors from being worn at night?

A1.a q YES A1.b q No

7)As for Option 1, could a night-time ban be effectively enforced?

A1.a q YES A1.b q No

8)Would it be sensible to permit visors with a 34% light transmittance only if they can be fitted to a helmet which has a quick release mechanism?

A1.a q YES A1.b q No

Option three

9)If the present minimum allowed light transmittance of 50% is retained, would it be sensible for such visors to continue to be marked ‘for daytime use only’?

A1.a q YES A1.b q No

10)Do currently available alternatives, such as helmets with two-stage visors, offer a reasonable balance between benefits and risks?

A1.a q yes A1.b q NO

11)If not, should we await the development of emerging technologies, such as photochromic, and perhaps polarised, materials?

A1.a q Yes A1.b q NO

Send this form to: MCN, Emap Automotive, Media House, Lynch Wood, Peterborough Business Park, Peterborough, PE2 6EA Or fax: 01733-468028.

Alternatively a full version of the questionnaire is available from the DVLA website at http://www.roads.dtlr.gov.uk/consult/visors/index.htm

Or you can print your answers out and send them to this address:

Ms. B Natarajan, VSE 6, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, Zone 2/04, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, LONDON SW1P 4DR Fax them to: 01792-782056 or email: vehleg.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk

Copies of the Consultation Paper can be obtained by telephoning 0870–241–2145