7 Apr 2008

Compulsory helmet law in Cook Islands to be reviewed

10:27 am on 7 April 2008

The Cook Islands Cabinet is to look again at its transport act of 2007 which includes the controversial compulsory helmet law.

The law would have made it compulsory for all motorcyclists to wear a safety approved helmet at all times on the road from the 12th of April.

A government official, Trevor Pitt, says Cabinet was impressed with a presentation from the "No to compulsory helmets" lobby group.

"They were impressed to the point that they actually agreed with many of the issues raised by the group so the Prime Minister has agreed now to recall Parliament for the 11th of April which is the day before the compulsory helmet was due to take effect."

Trevor Pitt says the Crown Law office has also been instructed to draft an amendment of the act which will be considered by Cabinet earlier this week.

He says once Cabinet signs off on the proposed amendment it will go back to Parliament.