The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is responsible for ensuring that a wide range of products, including motorcycle helmets, meet or exceed minimum federal safety standards. A CPSC-approved motorcycle helmet has been examined thoroughly to ensure it will provide certain minimum safety protection in a crash.
If you’re looking for a new or replacement helmet, check for one that meets the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218. This standard specifies the requirements for motorcycle helmets, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Each year, NHTSA tests new motorcycle helmets and rates their pass/fail according to whether or not they meet FMVSS 218’s requirements. In 2008, for example, the NHTSA tested 39 motorcycle helmets. About half of the helmets tested were given a pass, meaning that they met or exceeded federal safety standards. Of those that were given a fail, the NHTSA estimated that most failed to provide adequate protection in a crash, although some received a fail because they lacked labeling that clearly explained how to use them correctly.
New Hampshire is one of only three states that does not have a motorcycle helmet requirement for adult riders. However, most New Hampshire motorcyclists wear helmets for added safety protection in case of a crash. At Tenn And Tenn, P.A., our experienced New Hampshire motorcycle accident attorneys also ride, so we know firsthand both the joy and the risks that motorcyclists face. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, call us today at (603) 614-5055. The call is free and confidential.