I had a discussion with Borghi the other day on the subject of helmets in the M3W in Italy.

He confirmed that by law both a helmet and seatbelts must be used. The M3W is not homologated to comply with the requirements of a safety cage in Italy. The authority was specifically asked if the fitting of a higher roll bar (as for Australia) would suffice: the reply was no because there was no proof (as in crash tests etc) that the rest of the frame was sufficiently strong to ensure that the roll bar would not collapse. I can well imagine that the Australian homologation testing would not be accepted by the Italian bureaucracy.

If a two or three wheeler is fitted with a passenger safety cage and seatbelts the obligation of wearing a helmet is waved, however in the case of a three wheeler in which a helmet must be used there is no obligation for seat belts unless the three wheeler has been homologated with seat belts fitted.

All this means that when driving an M3W in Italy both driver and passenger must use both a helmet and seatbelts.

If you do not use a helmet you risk not only a fine but having the car towed away. Depends a bit on how nasty the police feel like being. If you do get stopped it is more likely to satisfy the curiosity of the cop but I would not take the risk.

Peter

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