Helmets are a crucial element of bike safety. Each has a different built and different design depending on the specifications. Also, not all are designed for normal roads. While racing helmets are different and expensive, a helmet to wear while normal driving may come at a nominal cost. All in all, a helmet is designed to provide substantial protection to your head.
We invest in Bike Insurance a mandatory document every Indian has to carry while driving on Indian roads. With this document, it is also important to have a strong helmet that will protect you from any injury to the head in an accident. We all are compelled to understand the mechanism of a helmet, by doing so we can be more equipped with your headgear.
Motor Cycle Helmet Safety Ratings
There are several safety ratings, many of them are divided according to the country. Let's take a look at all of these to understand their pros and cons.
DOT
It is Department of Transportation authorised by the USA. It acts as a government body and holds every manufacturer accountable for their helmets and motorcycle gears. They mandate these helmet producers to test their products to check whether the helmet meets the criteria set by DOT. Common tests include field vision, impact negation and penetration resistance. You can see if a helmet meets these qualifications by looking for a DOT sticker patched on any of its parts.
|
Pros |
Cons |
| High energy testing schemes | Random testing harms the integrity of the test |
| Technicians are allowed to hit the helmet at any part | Limit on number of head forms utilised in the test |
| Ensures a decent energy transfer | |
ECE 22.05
ECE 22.05 is another helmet safety rating. Compared to DOT, this is a slightly younger test that later came into implementation. However, it has a more rigorous testing mechanism on commercial helmets. This test originated in Europe and is a multinational rating being applied to more than 50 countries in Europe. It measures the quality of safety features in a helmet. It grades the quality of optics used in face shields.
The test requires cross-testing i.e. the helmet must be checked by accredited third parties before an ECE certification is given to them. It eliminates the doubt of the riders that their helmet is poorly built.
|
Pros |
Cons |
| Extensive testing on every helmet in Europe | Strikes will only be done on fixed location |
| Only allows low peak of energy | Centre of gravity is displaced during the test |
| Use eight head forms for a broader range of safety assessment test |
|
SNELL
SNELL is like the highest testing standard out of all. It is used in racing cars. SNELL craft tests are done rigorously to match their requirements of a race track Technician have full control of the test in SNELL. They can run any type of test anywhere on the helmet. The technical will hit all parts of the helmet until they are sure about the built.
|
Pros |
Cons |
| Extensive testing of helmets | Testing is expensive and takes time |
| The technician has full supervision over the test | |
| Use of edge anvils | |
Also, remember along with wearing a helmet for safety, you need to have comprehensive
two wheeler insurance to stay protected financially during accidents and emergencies. You can also avail of benefits like cashless garages whenever needed.
