I TAKE great exception to a comment by Pete Winstanley (HAS, Aug 10) that Sikhs not being required to wear motorcycle crash helmets is a "trivial exception" to our laws.

As a motorcyclist of nearly 40 years, whose life was once saved by a crash helmet, I believe the law requiring motorcyclists to wear a crash helmet is one of the few sensible pieces of motoring legislation brought about by any British government, and consequently feel there should be no exceptions to the law.

A turban would not have saved my life and offers no protection to the face and jaw anyway. Our emergency and medical services have enough to contend with without having to "pick up" after someone whose injuries could so easily have been avoided. Put simply, if you won't wear a helmet, don't ride a motorcycle.

I realise this was not the crux of Mr Winstanley's letter, but I have always considered him as one who carefully considers and researches his comments so, for me, his statement on this occasion was illconsidered.

B. Kidd, Stockton