AAP General News (Australia)
08-05-2001
Qld: No helmet exemptions for Sihks
BRISBANE, Aug 5 AAP - Turban-wearing Sikhs would not be granted exemptions from Queensland's
bicycle helmet laws, Premier Peter Beattie said today.
State Labor MP Warren Pitt has called for Sikhs to be granted exemptions because they
cannot fit bicycle helmets over their turbans.
Baptised male members of the Indian religion do not cut their hair, but wrap it up in turbans.
About 400 Sikhs live in Mr Pitt's Cairns-based electorate, and many of them cycle to work.
Mr Pitt said local police had not yet booked any Sikhs for not wearing helmets, even
though they were breaking Queensland's compulsory helmet laws.
In Brisbane, Mr Beattie said no exemption to the law would be granted to Sikhs as a
group, but he urged members of the faith to apply for individual exemptions.
"We're trying to save people's lives, we're not trying to pick on anybody," he said.
"The truth is if you have a helmet on, you're more likely to live.
"I know there will be cultural issues here and I'm happy to talk it through."
AAP bja/lmc/bwlt
KEYWORD: HELMETS NIGHTLEAD
2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
No comments:
Post a Comment