All motorcycle riders and their passengers are now required to wear a helmet that meets industry safety standards.

A motorcycle safety helmet must meet a minimum of DOT (short for Department of Transportation) or Snell or ECE.

These safety standards will be appropriately marked by a label showing the compliance. Those helmets that do not meet these new standards, such as skull caps, will be considered illegal.

“We want to get the information out there, so if we pull someone over, we will educate them during the month of June. As of July 1 we will start to hand out violation tickets,” said Const. Tom Sparks.

There are also new requirements for passengers. All passengers must be able to place their feet on the foot pegs or floorboards. Children unable to reach foot pegs are not permitted to ride as passengers.

Between 1996 and 2010, motorcycle fatalities increased by 57 per cent. An approved motorcycle helmet can prevent or reduce head and neck injuries.

Fines will be $109 to $276.

For more information visit www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/osmv.

Distraught man helped

An emotionally distraught man was behaving “erratic and unpredictable” at the 7Eleven at the corner of Lougheed Highway and Laity Street on Monday afternoon, which caused a number of people to call police.

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At around 1:40 p.m. on June 11 the man entered the store but before police could arrive, the man had left and entered the Rona building supply store next door.

“The man climbed up onto a platform above the floor, and it appeared to the responding officers that he may want to harm himself, or others,” said Ridge Meadows RCMP Cpl. Alanna Dunlop.

“Police had to close the store while they dealt with the man. Officers were able to talk the man down, and took him to hospital for a mental health assessment,” Dunlop added.

Dunlop explained the police often deal with people who have mental health problems.

“Clearly the officers who looked after this man took the proper precautions, and kept everyone safe. They were able to gain the man’s trust and end this with no harm to the man, the police, or the public,” she said.

“Our police officers are receiving ongoing training on how to de-escalate persons who exhibit these type of behaviors. In addition, Ridge Meadows RCMP have one officer that is dedicated to monitoring people in our community that have mental health issues, and she works with local mental health professionals in an effort to reduce these types of incidents in our community,” the corporal added.