Full face, tinted helmets ban to prevent robberies
by Carol Aloysius
Motor cyclists will no longer be permitted to wear full face helmets
with tinted glass when a ban comes into effect from March 20, Police
sources said.
“They will not be allowed to wear helmets that cover the face from
eyebrows to chin, or wear helmets that are tinted", Acting media
spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunesekera told the Sunday Observer. He said this
decision was made due to mounting incidents of robberies at banks, ATM
machines, insurance companies, supermarkets and other business
establishments. “Last year such robberies peaked to around 25 to 30.
This year we have had two robberies at leading banks,” he said.
He said the biggest obstacle in catching the culprits in spite of the
CCTV cameras most business establishments now had, was because they wore
dark jackets and full face tinted helmets. “Even though the cameras
managed to photograph them while they were committing these robberies it
is difficult to identify them due to full face helmets”, he said. “By
the time the alarm is given they have fled the scene. We can only remand
them if they are caught red handed with the stolen goods”, he added.
Commenting on the recent surge of such robberies, he said, “This is a
new trend. Until last year, there were just 1-2 incidents. If caught,
they will be remanded and will have to pay a fine of Rs 1000/-".
He said motorcyclists could wear helmets with plain glass visors
which were readily available in the market. Or else they can cover their
noses and mouths with a piece of cloth to prevent dust. |