DGT Proposes Not To Make Motorbike Airbags Mandatory

DGT Proposes Not To Make The Use Of Motorbike Airbags Mandatory after requests from several motorcycle associations

The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), headed by director-general, Pere Navarro, is reportedly considering postponing its proposal that the use of vests or airbag jackets by motorcyclists be made mandatory, at the request of several motorcyclist associations.

This move was allegedly confirmed to Europa Press by a DGT source, where they say the proposal was to implement the use of the airbag on large-displacement motorcycles that circulate on interurban roads from 2026, and the regulation would be included in the reform of the General Traffic Regulations

The DGT is said to be convinced that this measure can help to reduce the number of fatalities in motorcycle accidents, but, if the motorcycle platforms, as representatives of the motorcyclist collective, consider that “it will not save lives”, then the DGT is prepared to consider postponing the move.

Spokespersons for both Plataforma Motera para la Seguridad Vial and the Asociación Mutua Motera, have said they appreciate the “sensitivity” of the DGT in this matter and consider “their effort to reform the rules that contribute decisively to the road safety of citizens, taking into consideration the proposals and suggestions of users to be very commendable”, as reported by diarioadesevilla.es.

The DGT proposes that the airbag vest is really comfortable, and is suitable to be worn with any jacket on the market, because the latest motorcycle airbag technology is the best passive safety invention since the helmet.

First of all, they say, the most important thing is to protect is the head, and then, the neck, spine, and trunk, with two types of airbags for motorcycles and bikers: the first, through a  physical mechanism, integrated into the motorcycle itself; the second, electronic, more efficient, and faster, but also more expensive, is included as part of the pilot’s clothing.

Through a system of sensors and accelerometers, the airbag module analyses all variants and activates the system only when it considers that the pilot is falling, which allows for activation times as low as 25 milliseconds, something that achieves immediate protection before hitting the ground. Half a minute after impact, the system deflates the airbag to its original shape, thus avoiding later problems, as reported by diarioadesevilla.es.

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