Must be true then. Lots of cars don't have airbags, where is the story?
Three wheelers are classified more closely to motorcycles than they are to cars. Under Italian legislation unless the three wheeler is fitted with a full cabin or roll cage and seat belts. there is an obligation to wear a helmet. Seat belts must be worn if they are fitted.
I assume that if he had been wearing a full face helmet there is a good possibility that he would not have suffered face injuries but a full face helmet is not so compatible with filming for a TV show
