Helmet Safety Ratings: Everything Explained
When it comes to helmet safety, many different ratings and certifications can help you choose a helmet that will keep you safe. However, understanding these ratings can be confusing and overwhelming. In this post, we’ll break down the basics of helmet safety ratings, so you can make an informed decision when selecting a helmet.
Types of Helmet Safety Ratings
There are several different types of helmet safety ratings, including:
- DOT (Department of Transportation)
- ECE (Economic Commission for Europe)
- Snell Memorial Foundation
- SHARP (Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme)
- ISI (Indian Standards Institute)
| Safety Rating | Country/Region | Description |
|---|---|---|
| DOT | United States | Created by the US Department of Transportation, helmets must pass impact, penetration, and retention tests to receive this rating. |
| ECE | Europe and other countries | Created by the Economic Commission for Europe, helmets must pass impact, penetration, retention, and field of vision tests to receive this rating. |
| Snell | International | Created by the Snell Memorial Foundation, helmets must pass more rigorous impact, penetration, retention, and other tests than DOT or ECE to receive this rating. |
| SHARP | United Kingdom | Created by the UK government, helmets must pass impact, penetration, retention, and other tests, and are rated on a five-star scale for safety. |
| ISI | India | Created by the Indian Standards Institute, helmets must pass impact, penetration, retention, and other tests to receive this certification. |
It’s important to note that some countries or regions may recognize multiple safety ratings, while others may only recognize one. When selecting a helmet, it’s important to consider the safety standards recognized in your country or region.
DOT (Department of Transportation)
The DOT rating is a safety standard created by the US Department of Transportation. A helmet must pass impact, penetration, and retention tests to receive this rating. DOT-rated helmets are legal for use on public roads in the United States.
ECE (Economic Commission for Europe)
The ECE rating is a safety standard created by the Economic Commission for Europe. To receive this rating, a helmet must pass impact, penetration, retention, and field of vision tests. ECE-rated helmets are legal for use in Europe and many other countries around the world.
Snell Memorial Foundation
The Snell Memorial Foundation is a non-profit organization that creates safety standards for helmets. To receive a Snell rating, a helmet must pass impact, penetration, retention, and other tests that are more rigorous than those required for DOT or ECE ratings. Snell-rated helmets are often used by professional riders and are known for their high level of protection.
SHARP (Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme)
The SHARP rating is a safety standard created by the UK government. A helmet must pass impact, penetration, retention, and other tests to receive this rating. The SHARP rating system uses a five-star scale to rate the safety of helmets, with five stars being the highest level of protection.
ISI (Indian Standards Institute)
The ISI certification is a safety standard created by the Indian Standards Institute. A helmet must pass impact, penetration, retention, and other tests to receive this certification. ISI-certified helmets are legal for use in India.
Choosing the Right Helmet
When selecting a helmet, it’s important to look for one that has been certified by a reputable safety rating organization. However, it’s also important to consider other factors, such as fit, comfort, and style. A helmet that doesn’t fit properly won’t provide the level of protection it’s designed to, so be sure to try on several different helmets to find one that fits well.
Here are some articles with the different price points, so you can choose your helmet according to it,
Conclusion:
Helmet safety ratings are an important tool for selecting a helmet that will keep you safe while riding. By understanding the different types of ratings and what they mean, you can make an informed decision when selecting a helmet. Remember to look for a helmet that has been certified by a reputable safety rating organization, and always choose one that fits properly and comfortably.
Vishwanath Mathpati
I am Vishwanath Mathpati, a full-time Blogger and Motorcyclist from Bidar, Karnataka. I love writing about my Motorcycles Stories and Riding Gears on this blog.
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