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