Friday, December 26, 2008

DOT Motorcycle Helmet Certification is Important

By Frank Medley

When you're in the market for a new helmet, it can be a challenge to know which is safest for you. One good way to know that the helmet you're buying is safe is to check if it is DOT certified.

You can tell you have DOT motorcycle helmet certification by whether it has the small certification sticker on the back. This is what indicates to you that the helmet will protect you in a crash, so if it's not there, don't get that helmet.

The United States Department of Transportation, otherwise known as the DOT, is a government agency that tries to keep you safe on the road, through regulations and safety standards.

What standards must be met to attain DOT motorcycle helmet certification? First, a helmet must absorb most of the force on impact. It must also prevent most objects from penetrating it, and it must fasten in a way that can withstand a large amount of force.

Where is the DOT motorcycle helmet certification testing done? It is done by the manufacturer of the helmet. If a helmet passes all of the DOT tests, they can then attach the certification sticker.

You're probably thinking about what happens if a manufacturer fudges the results a little. Periodically, the DOT will send helmets to independent labs for testing, and posts the results on their website.

Before you buy, make sure to familiarize yourself with what the real DOT sticker looks like online. Some unscrupulous manufacturers will attach false stickers to their helmets in order to trick you into buying.

DOT motorcycle helmet certification is an important safety tool for riders. This is a way to ensure that your helmet meets minimum safety standards, and will be able to protect you in a crash. - 16752

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