SAFETY HELMETS
SIR,—Pharos is quite correct (November 22). There is a very good case for the compulsory wearing of helmets by motor-cyclists, and many of us have been advocating this for years. The prompt reaction of the Public Relations Officer, in his letter last week, leads us to conclude that the motor-cycle industry is still indifferent to the shocking toll caused by head injuries in motor-cyclists.
Dead men and boys cause little trouble, but modern medical science is now keeping alive many motor- cyclists after severe injuries who would, perhaps. be better dead. These young men and their pillion riders are crippled, paralysed, blinded, disfigured or ren- dered mentally defective for life, and someone will have to look after them for fifty years or so. Usually they own a helmet but had left it off at the time of the accident.
I should like to parade these pathetic wrecks in front of those who control the motor-cycle industry in the hope that they might be persuaded to face up to their responsibility to encourage every regulation which would lessen the present state of chaos. At the present rate we shall be the last important country to introduce safety regulations for motor- cycling—what an example I If any society interested in the prevention of acci- dents would like to prepare a record or film of some of the victims I shall be glad to provide the evidence.—Yours faithfully, Oxford W. RITCHIE RUSSELL
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