Cook Islands Police say that while certain German style helmets may comply with safety standards, the variation in these helmets has made enforcement difficult.

Cook Islands Police Service media and strategic advisor Trevor Pitt says there is an approved safety standard, regulated by law and Police have enforced this law.

Pitt reiterated that the current penalty for failing to wear an approved safety helmet is $250, and the imposition of demerit points if convicted.

Pitt’s comments are in response to a letter questioning if German-style helmets are legal.

The letter writer wrote that their teenage son bought a helmet from a teenage friend who imported many from online marketplace Temu. These helmets were cheaper and had a lighter construction than his son’s previous German style helmet.

The writer said: “It took a lot of looking but found the helmet standards on the Cook Islands Police Facebook page with various marks and worldwide standards. It looks to be lifted from the NZTA website, which is fine. However, the standard relevant to the mark on his helmet states ‘Helmets complying with FMVSS 218 will be marked with the letters ‘DOT’. This standard is only acceptable for motorcycle helmets that have been manufactured and purchased in the United States.’ As these helmets come out of China via Temu, am I right that this helmet does not comply?”

The letter writer asked the police to clarify this once and for all for worried parents and to go on record stating that German-style motorcycle helmets are compliant with their regulations.

They also asked that the Cook Islands Police go on record stating that they are performing their obligation of checking compliance and the certification of these helmets and these would be evidenced by ticketing and court records.

Police media and strategic advisor Pitt said: “The controversy over the German style was previously settled as certain models complied with the prescribed standard, including the DOT which was allowed.”

He said, unfortunately, that the variation in this style had proven problematic because every driver would need to be stopped and inspected.

“This had been part of the traffic enforcement checks by police in past years.”

Pitt said that the community knows, but perhaps does not fully appreciate, that the police numbers have been constrained by resource issues.

“This has directly impacted Police operations. Until we get an adequate budget in place and staffing obstacles are removed, Police will continue to work under pressures that will result in inefficiency,” he said.

“Some may have observed that MFEM (Ministry of Finance and Economic Management) responsibility over Police finances was imposed some weeks ago. However, the constraints continue as a result of the two factors I have noted: budget and HR (human resources) issues.

“Police know what to do and what needs to be done to keep our country safe and secure. If only they had the resources to do it.

“All staff are working under constraints and pressures not of their doing.”

Pitt also said that traffic enforcement is a priority for them and all the infringements will be targeted, as required.

“Community support is a must as are the necessary measures by those in authority,” he added.

“But as we all know, we must constantly provide the messaging around driving safely as many people on the road are simply irresponsible.

“Our driving culture is one of the worst for attitudes and behaviour despite the constant injuries and fatalities. I have been bleating about this for the past seven plus years.”