HOW TO IDENTIFY
UNSAFE
MOTORCYCLE HELMETS
Here is What to Check For:
Thick Inner
Liner
Helmets meeting the minimum Federal safety standard have an inner
liner usually about one-inch thick of firm polystyrene foam. Sometimes the inner
liner will not be visible, but you should still be able to feel its thickness.
Unsafe helmets normally contain only soft foam padding or a bare plastic shell
with no padding at all.
Sturdy Chin Strap and Rivets
Helmets meeting the DOT safety standard have sturdy chinstraps
with solid rivets.
Weight of
Helmet
Depending on design, unsafe helmets weigh only one pound or less.
Helmets meeting FMVSS 218 generally weigh about three pounds. Become familiar
with the weight of helmets that comply with the Federal safety standard. These
helmets provide a more substantial feel.
Design/Style of Helmet
The DOT safety standard does not allow anything to extend further
than two-tenths of an inch from the surface of a helmet. For example, while
visor fasteners are allowed, a spike or other protruding decorations indicate an
unsafe helmet.
You’ll need to check for weight, thickness, sturdy
chinstraps, as well as the “DOT” and manufacturer’s labels to make sure the
helmet meets the Federal safety standard. Familiarize yourself with brand names
and designs of helmets that comply with DOT requirements. For example, a
full-face design is a good indicator of a safe helmet. To date, we have never
seen a full-face design novelty helmet.
DOT Sticker
Helmets that meet FMVSS 218 must have a sticker on the outside back
of the helmet with the letters “DOT,” which certifies that the helmet meets or
exceeds FMVSS 218. It is important to note that some novelty helmet sellers
provide DOT stickers separately for motorcyclists to place on non-complying
helmets. In this case, the DOT sticker is invalid and does not certify
compliance.
Snell or ANSI
Label
In addition to the DOT sticker, labels located inside the helmet
showing that a helmet meets the standards of private, non-profit organizations
such as Snell or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) are good
indicators that the helmet also meets the Federal safety standard. To date, we
have never seen a novelty helmet that has a phony DOT sticker in addition to a
phony Snell or ANSI label.
Manufacturer’s
Labeling
Manufacturers are required under FMVSS 218 to place a label on or
inside the helmet stating the manufacturer’s name, model, size, month and year
of manufacture, construction materials, and owner’s information. A helmet that
does not meet the Federal safety standard usually does not have such labeling.
The design and weight of a helmet, thickness of the
inner liner, and the quality of the chin strap and rivets are extra clues to
help distinguish safe helmets from non-complying ones.
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Unsafe Helmet Interior
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Safe Helmet Interior
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