M. Danielle Strickland

Terrance Joyner

Valerie Collier

Nan Danehower

SHOULD STATES MANDATE THE USE OF D.O.T. APPROVED HELMETS?

There are two organizations setting safety standards for helmets in the United States.- Division of Transportation (DOT)- Snell Foundation

DOT HELMET TESTING

DOT helmets are tested on the “honor system” The government is suppose to regularly test

some of these helmets, but this rarely happens. The DOT testing standard is outlined in the

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard # 218

SNELL HELMET TESTING Snell is a private non-profit organization that sets voluntary

standards for motorcycle standards

Manufactures must earn Snell certification for their helmets

Snell standards require that their helmets should withstand substantially larger impacts than DOT approved helmets.

Although Snell is a better option, both DOT and Snell helmets are tested the same way.

Pros

- Reduces head and brain injury

- Reduces major contusions

- Reduces minor scrapes on face

Cons

- Can cause neck injury

- Heavy

- Hot and uncomfortable

- Unattractive

- Can obstruct vision

PROS AND CONS OF HELMETS

CURRENT STATE HELMET LAWS