Allow Tinted Visors For UK Motorcyclists

We, the undersigned, have concerns on the recent decision following a consultation document by the Department for Transport to sustain its prohibition of dark helmet visors for day time use only.

The announcement was made by the Transport Minister David Jamieson despite the support by the majority of motorcycling organisations to change the legislation.

Legislation requires that motorcyclists' visors comply with UN ECE Regulation 22.05 or British Standard BS4110:1979 (as amended).

These standards currently allow visors to have a light tint with a light transmission of no less that 50\%.

Motorcyclists requested a reduced to 18\% of light transmission for day time use to bring visor standards in line with the current permitted light transmittance for motorcyclists' goggles.

The light transmittance value relates to the percentage of visible light which the visor material allows to pass through.

The greatest worry of riders is the effects of sun glare especially at this time of year.

A rider who is not suffering glare discomfort is more inclined to look longer and more carefully for potential hazards than one that is dazzled. This is perhaps difficult to express in scientific terms. In layman's terms however, it is the difference between taking a quick squint into bright sunlight and thereafter taking a chance on perceived hazards, compared to taking a longer and more careful look with the benefit of a dark visor.

There are some concerns that riders would be caught out in bad weather conditions of failing light and be tempted to ride with a dark visor in these conditions or at night, recommended promotion of rider awareness and safety on the use of dark visors would be undertaken.

In these conditions a pair of cheap and nasty sunglasses can be worn by a rider under a clear visor yet a positive safety aid in the form of a dark visor is illegal.