This new law outlines everything, from minimum levels of performance, to how well a helmet can protect the head and brain in an accident. Most people do not know that every year the department of transportation does numerous studies to see if vendors are in compliance with Federal safety standard. Motorcycle Helmets add such a large percentage of safety many states now have laws requiring use of helmets that meet DOT standards.

It is hard to say why, but there are a group of motorcycle riders in this country call the 1%ers that violating these local, state, and federal laws by wearing unsafe helmets. Some folks purchase a product called a novelty helmet. These helmets look very close to the DOT approved helmets.

The scary fact is, most people think that these novelty helmets are DOT approved, but they really provide no protection. There are also some people who wear these novelty helmets that know that they are unsafe – but wear them because they are more comfortable. I am going to give a you a few way to tell the difference between a safe, and unsafe helmet..

Thick Liner Inside

• 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

• One way you can tell that you purchased a DOT helmet is the rivets.

Weight of Helmet

• Cheap Helmets do not have much weight to them. A nice heavy helmet will protect your head much better. Once you are familiar with the feel of a DOT approved helmet, you should easily be able to tell if it is good or not. These helmets provide a more substantial feel.

They Style of the Helmet

• One of the limiting factor is that nothing can extend off the helmet. You can have visor and fasteners, but things like spike, or Mohawks make it easy to spot an unsafe helmet.  German, Army, Skullcap, are some terms that are usually unsafe helmet. If you every get injured, wearing a an unsafe helmet, I can suggest a Pittsburgh Chiropractor for you.  Unsafe helmets are noticeably smaller in diameter and thinner than ones meeting the DOT standard. I do know that there are some German and Army helmet that meet Federal requirements at Motorcycle Pride. You will need to check every aspect of it before you buy. There are some brands of helmets that are safe, and you should seek those out. When you buy a full ace helmet, they are typically safe. Personally, I have never seen someone produce a cheap full face helmet.

ANSI Label

• There should always be a DOT sticker on your helmet. 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 DOT 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. Novelty helmets do not have these labels Just because a helmet has the sticker though doesn’t mean that it is safe.  I would suggest you check out this 21 day fast mass muscle building review for instances, because many helmets have counterfeit DOT stickers and a limited few also have manufacturer’s labeling. But 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.