Motorcycle Helmets

The Safety Standards of Motorcycle Helmets

By: Alex De Mostafa

In 1972, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (HHTSA) set about creating new minimal safety standards for motorcycle helmets. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218, commonly called the DOT (Department of Transportation) standard, was initiated and signed into law. The act marked the culmination of years of review and analysis. The DOT standard was revised slightly in 1974 and has subsequently undergone other minor alterations, but basically has remained unchanged for more than 30 years.

The purpose of DOT standard 218 is to identify helmets that comply with government standards for helmet safety. It should be noted that motorcycle helmets are not required in some states and that while the Federal Government has set safety standards, there is a general lack of enforcement and oversight by the program. Basically, the government has established outdated safety standards and relies on the manufacturers to comply and attest to their compliance with these standards. Based on the manufacturer's representation, a DOT stamp of approval is placed on each helmet.

This is not to say that the government does not test helmets. Each year, DOT provides token testing and presents manufacturers with the results. However, in 2001, the government inspected just 40 helmets. The Department of Transportation relies almost exclusively on the helmet manufacturers to meet the safety standards. As government-testing requirements are minimal, motorcyclists have long expressed concern over the safety of helmets.

The DOT standard for testing requires that helmets be tested twice at four different impact zones. DOT approved helmets are dropped from a 6 foot height onto a flat anvil and then again from a 4.5 foot height. The manufacturer is required to sign off on compliance with these standards prior to applying the DOT emblem to the helmet. However, in the 40 unit testing performed directly by DOT in 2001, 20% of the helmets failed the test.

In the motorcycle helmet industry, more stringent safety requirements are applied by the independent Snell Standards set by the Snell Memorial Foundation (SMF). The Snell Memorial Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing motor sporting helmet safety. The foundation was established in 1957 in memory of racecar driver William Peter Snell and has since served as the recognized leader in safety standards for a variety of sporting helmets. Unlike the Department of Transportation, the SMF aggressively and randomly tests many motorcycle helmets each year.

SMF maintains two testing facilities; one in the U.S. and another in England. Manufacturers, who subscribe to the Snell standards, submit their helmets to the organization for recognized certification. These helmet manufacturers agree to periodic testing and agree to comply with the more current Snell safety standards for motorcycle helmets. Snell safety standards are not exclusive to the motorcycle industry and are used for harness racing, other equestrian sports, cycling, skiing and snowboarding.

While the DOT standards have been virtually unchanged since 1974, the SMF standards have been updated every five years. Additionally, the Snell testing procedures are much more aggressive. Whereas DOT tests use drop elevations of 6 feet and 4.5 feet respectively, the SMF utilizes 10 foot and 7.5 foot drop elevations.

Both DOT and Snell acknowledge that it is rarely the fall that damages the head. Rather, it is the sudden stop. To measure the effectiveness of the motorcycle helmet in coping with the stress of a sudden halt, both testing programs utilize an accelerator set inside the headgear.

The Snell tests do not leave interpretation of the results to the manufacturer. These more strenuous tests focus on the manufacturing quality of the motorcycle helmets. As a result, the Snell method of testing does not use the flat anvil, but rather an edged anvil that is designed to further test the helmet's material construction.

Cyclists who use helmets bearing the Snell label of approval are assured of helmets that not only surpass the DOT safety standards, but have undergone independent testing and whose manufacturers have made assurances of strict compliance. The Snell certificate of approval goes a long way with consumers and industry experts. The Snell label on the back of the helmet is the industry symbol for safety design and structural integrity.


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