Revisting the NHTSA Helmet Amendment

With the recent news that a helmet-less New York motorcyclist died of head trauma while protesting helmet laws, it seems like an appropriate time to revisit the recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration‘s (NHTSA) helmet law amendment. The amendment was implemented earlier this year in an effort to keep motorcyclists safer.

There has been a steady increase in people wearing motorcycle helmets since 2005, and the NHTSA wanted to make sure those helmets are protective in case of a crash. If you are a motorcycle rider, there are some things you need to know about the updated law.

The NHTSA

The NHTSA organization keeps an eye on highway statistics and focuses on safe driving, vehicle safety and much more in order to keep laws in place which protect motorists. The NHTSA was established in 1970 and is under the rule of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT). Their main goal is to reduce crashes on the highway. From time to time, they feel it necessary to introduce and update existing laws in order to keep people safe. The 2011 helmet amendment is no different.

The Statistics

One of the major functions of the NHTSA is research and statistics. It is reported by the agency that in 2010, only 54% of motorcycle riders wore helmets that were acceptable and up to standard. In 2009, that number was 67%. As of 2011, 20 states have laws requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets. Research shows that helmets do not block sight or lower the rider’s ability to hear. The NHSTA’s statistics has proven year after year that helmets save lives. Each state has different laws regarding helmets. Some require them for all riders, other states only require them on riders under the age 18. It is important to understand how the NHTSA helmet law amending actions affects your ride.

The Updated Law

The NHTSA helmet law amending action is intended to keep drivers and passengers from wearing helmets that are not certified, or novelty helmets that are just for looks. Helmets that are certified will be marked by the Department of Transportation. The markings will contain the letters, DOT, indicating the helmet has been approved. The phrase, No. 218, will also appear in the sequence which refers to the particular safety standard that the helmet conforms to. This will be followed by the word “certified”. This series of letters and numbers will appear on every helmet which meets the qualifications set forth by the NHTSA and its updated laws.

The Helmet

If you’re wondering what makes a good helmet that meets the Department of Transportation’s requirements, there are some basic things to look for. The helmet should have a liner made of polystyrene foam that is an inch thick. You should see chin straps with solid rivets to ensure that the straps stay in place. A safe helmet should weigh about 3 pounds. Helmets weighing less are considered novelty helmets. A safe helmet will not have anything sticking out on it such as spikes and other decorative elements. And of course, you should look for the DOT sticker that ensures the helmet is certified. The sticker will be located on the outside back of the helmet.