| A number of factors come into play for a | | | | products to the Snell evaluation service and |
| rider when considering a new helmet purchase. | | | | pay for the testing procedures. These |
| One factor all riders must consider, and the | | | | procedures are extensive and include seven |
| number one reason to wear a helmet in the | | | | test types, from impact to shell penetration |
| first place, remains safety.According to the | | | | tests to flame resistance testing. The type |
| National Highway Traffic Safety | | | | and degree of testing is dependent on the |
| Administration (NHTSA), in 2003, when | | | | type of helmet and its application.Snell |
| comparing mile for mile, motorcycle riders | | | | cites the following areas as critical in |
| faced a 32 percent greater likelihood of | | | | helmet safety: |
| dying in a wreck compared to drivers in a | | | | |
| car. In fact, the simple practice of wearing | | | | Impact management: how well the helmet |
| a helmet can dramatically reduce the number | | | | protects against collisions with large |
| of road fatalities for cycle riders. The | | | | objects; |
| NHTSA estimates that between 1984 and 2004, | | | | |
| nearly 11,000 motorcyclists would be alive | | | | Helmet positional stability: whether the |
| today if they were wearing a helmet while | | | | helmet will be in place, on the head, when |
| riding.Snell and Department of Transportation | | | | it's needed; |
| (DOT) ranking remain an industry standard by | | | | |
| which customers can judge the safety | | | | Retention system strength: whether the chin |
| "effectiveness" of a helmet. But what do the | | | | straps are sufficiently strong enough to hold |
| DOT and Snell standards mean for the average | | | | the helmet throughout a head impact; and |
| rider?For starters, these ratings were | | | | |
| created to offer objective criteria for | | | | Extent of protection: the area of the head |
| certifying helmet safety. As a result, | | | | protected by the helmet. |
| instead of relying on what a manufacturer or | | | | |
| dealer might tell a buyer, now the buyer can | | | | Snell Memorial Foundation, Inc. ( 2005). |
| identify real criteria in judging the measure | | | | 2005 Standard for Protective Headgear, 4.In |
| of protection offered by a particular | | | | short, Snell offers the highest certification |
| helmet.But what testing procedures are | | | | standards regarding helmet safety. But a |
| employed in determining that criteria? Let's | | | | buyer will pay a higher price for Snell |
| begin with the DOT rating.DOT Rating The DOT | | | | certified helmets, as the added costs of |
| performs a straight forward impact test. | | | | production and testing add to the overall |
| Using a simulated head placed inside a | | | | value of the helmet.Safety MattersA number of |
| helmet, testers drop the helmet from a height | | | | points exist in the mind of a buyer when |
| of ten feet. The head cannot receive more | | | | considering a helmet purchase. Style, color, |
| than 400 G-force units on impact. A G-force | | | | fit, and comfort are extremely important |
| unit measures the force of gravity exerted | | | | factors when purchasing a helmet. Price is |
| against an object in motion.Now here's the | | | | also a consideration for many buyers. |
| kicker with DOT rated helmets--manufacturers | | | | However, safety should be paramount when |
| don't need to test their helmets in order to | | | | purchasing a helmet. If you scrimp too much |
| claim a DOT rating! A helmet manufacturer | | | | on price, you might get a nice looking helmet |
| simply needs to feel that a helmet is meeting | | | | that unfortunately doesn't hold up in those |
| the DOT specifications to brand it as "DOT | | | | critical moments. So take the time, do your |
| rated." The DOT might occasionally pull | | | | homework, and find a helmet that will keep |
| helmets to perform testing, but the majority | | | | you alive and allow you to keep riding for |
| of helmets sold as DOT certified do not | | | | years to come.Charles Palmer is content |
| undergo any level of testing.Snell Rating The | | | | developer for - a retailer of motorcycle, |
| Snell certification stands in rigorous | | | | motocross, and snowmobile helmets, riding |
| contrast to DOT specifications. Helmet | | | | accessories and apparel. |
| manufacturers voluntarily submit their | | | | |