U.S. DOT Proposes New Helmet Rule
The U.S. Department of Transportation has proposed an amendment to its safety rules for motorcycle helmets, which would require manufacturers to use larger labels to identify certified helmets.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has proposed an amendment to its safety rules for motorcycle helmets, which would require manufacturers to use larger labels to identify certified helmets.
The proposal will make it harder for riders to use novelty helmets in states that require DOT-certified helmets, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters.
“Novelty helmets do little to protect riders during an accident,” said Peters. “This proposal will make it easier for riders to know in advance whether the helmet they buy will keep them safe.”
The proposal would require manufacturers to place a larger, tamper-proof DOT label on the back of certified helmets. The new labels will make it harder for vendors to remove the labels on safe helmets and affix them to the unsafe novelty helmets.
The proposed rule would also toughen the testing standards used on helmets before they receive DOT certification, including how the helmets hold up during impact, whether objects can penetrate the helmet, and how well the helmet stays in place during a crash.
Recent tests of non-DOT-certified novelty helmets showed they fail to meet current DOT performance tests.
“As our testing has shown, these ‘novelty’ helmets do not have the energy absorbing capacity to protect a rider in a highway crash,” said David Kelly, acting NHTSA administrator. “A DOT-certified and labeled helmet … will help consumers make more knowledgeable decisions when purchasing a helmet.”
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