Helmet law test case

A Wellington District Court judge has reserved her decision in a test of the cycle helmet law.

Patrick Morgan, of Newtown, Wellington, claimed in court that helmets potentially did more harm than good, and that his belief constituted reasonable grounds for exemption from the law.

Land Transport Safety Authority lawyer Tony Beach said the law allowed exemptions on the grounds of religious belief, physical disability or other reasonable grounds.

Morgan had not provided reasonable grounds, he said.

The evidence accepted by Parliament was that helmets reduced injuries and if Morgan wanted to change the law he should do it through Parliament rather than the courts.

Judge Jan Kelly reserved her decision.

- NZPA