Pulled Over, WHY ?

pulled me yesterday.
I have a Flip top helmet and was in a queue of traffic in bristol and had the flip up. Was flagged over to the side of the road by a copper (police constable) and told i was breaking the law (he thinks??) by having the flip lid up!!
I asked what is the difference of having the flip up compared to the visor. He could not answer.
What do you guys think. and does anyone know the rules?

I dont think it is breaking the law, otherwise open face helmets would then be illegal.... as thats all having the flip part up does.... I think its the top of your head that has to be protected.. someone who knows better will be along..... I hope!

You were still wearing the helmet, so how can you have been breaking the law?
Anyway it's a £30 no points fine for NOT wearing a helmet.

[fizzwheel]

I've seen police motorcycle riders, riding with their flip up lids flipped up... if they can do it why can't you.

I dont know the whys and wherefores regarding the legal side of things though. As Razor says its illegal to ride without a lid, but you had a lid on.

What exactly did he say to you, and what if any paperwork did he give you ?

though there are technicalities to how you are wearing a helmet, the straps on it have to be done up, otherwise it doesnt class as being worn... other than that, same as above.. it was on your head, and the straps were done up....

Just a guess here but, could it have something to do with the shape of the helmet whilst the flip is up.
For example, years ago the Simpson Bandit was illegal as it had straight edges around the chin area. This meant that if you were sliding along the ground and your helmet caught the ground there was a possibility of it twisting violently and possibly breaking your neck. I would assume that having the flip up could also cause some similar damage if sliding along the ground.
Just a guess but I can see the reasoning.

What exactly did he say to you, and what if any paperwork did he give you ?[/quote]

His words were " I am fed up with seeing your lot riding up and down with these new fangled helmets"
He also proceeded to say that it is his understanding that riding with the flip up is illegal and he would check so he could dish out the correct ticket next time.

I must say he was a grumpy old git and very anti bikes.

i was stopped the other night with a small plate, scorpion race can and an unlit number plate. the policeman in question was ok and let me off without any penalty infact we had a good chat about his skoda octavia 1.9d police car.

Originally Posted by svnewboy

pulled me yesterday.
I have a Flip top helmet and was in a queue of traffic in bristol and had the flip up. Was flagged over to the side of the road by a copper (police constable) and told i was breaking the law (he thinks??) by having the flip lid up!!
I asked what is the difference of having the flip up compared to the visor. He could not answer.
What do you guys think. and does anyone know the rules?

I think he may - unfortunately - be right

I seem to remember that the helmet is only legal with the flip down because that is how they get tested. therefore riding with the flip open is to be riding with the helmet in a structurally weakened state. this, naturally, being regardless of the likelihood of an open flip lid being as protective as a regular open face

This git was on the beat, Must have been ****ed of with walking.