Wearing a helmet is one of the most important safety measures for motorcyclists. However, in Mexico, less than 40% of motorcyclists use certified helmets, which is alarming considering that wearing an accredited helmet can reduce the likelihood of dying in a road accident by 39% and decrease the chances of suffering serious injuries by 89%.
According to a study published by The Lancet, up to 911 lives could be saved each year in Mexico if certified safety helmets were more widely used.
This document aims to highlight the differences between a certified helmet and a non-certified one and describe the tests conducted to verify helmet quality, the main international certifications, and how to identify a safe helmet.
A certified helmet differs significantly from a non-certified one in several key areas related to user safety and protection. Certified helmets have undergone rigorous impact, penetration, retention, and other quality checks to ensure their ability to absorb impact and protect the head in the event of an accident. These helmets have an inner layer of high-density polystyrene that helps distribute impact energy, durable straps that keep the helmet in place during a crash and are typically designed with a weight that balances comfort and protection.
On the other hand, a non-certified helmet lacks these safety validations and may be made from lower-quality materials that do not offer the same protection. These helmets often do not meet international or national standards, meaning they have not been tested for resistance to impacts or penetration by sharp objects. Additionally, non-certified helmets may have design flaws, such as weak straps or dangerous protrusions, which increase the risk of severe injury in an accident.
Helmet Certification Tests
For a helmet to be considered safe and obtain the corresponding certification, it must undergo a series of rigorous tests that assess its capacity to protect the wearer in the event of an impact.
Some of the most common tests include:
- Impact Test: This test measures the helmet’s ability to absorb impact energy. The helmet is dropped from a specific height onto a steel surface to simulate a hard impact. The helmet must reduce head acceleration to levels that minimize the risk of injury.
- Penetration Test: Ensures that the helmet can withstand penetration by sharp objects, protecting the head from direct injuries.
- Retention System Test: Confirms that the helmet straps remain fastened and do not come undone during an accident.
- Rigidity Test: Determines the helmet’s structural resistance to deformation under pressure.
These tests are essential to ensure that a helmet certified under these standards can effectively protect the user under real-world conditions.
Main Helmet Certifications
There are several international certifications that guarantee the quality and safety of motorcycle helmets. The two most recognized are:
- DOT (Department of Transportation, United States): This certification is mandatory in the United States and establishes minimum safety standards that helmets must meet to be sold in the country. DOT-certified helmets must pass a series of tests, including impact, penetration, and retention. The impact test is conducted at various speeds and temperatures to ensure the helmet performs well under different conditions.
- ECE (Economic Commission for Europe): This certification is mandatory in over 50 countries, including many in Europe and some in Asia. The ECE certification (currently at version 22.05) is considered more rigorous than the DOT in several aspects, as it requires more impact tests and visor verification. Additionally, each batch of helmets produced must be tested before being released to the market, ensuring greater consistency in product quality.
Mexican Official Standard
In Mexico, safety helmets for motorcyclists are regulated by NOM-206-SCFI/SSA2-2018, which outlines the requirements that helmets must meet to provide adequate protection. This standard includes safety specifications, testing methods, and labeling requirements. Helmets must pass rigorous tests such as impact attenuation, penetration, retention system, and rigidity to ensure their effectiveness in protecting the user. They must also meet labeling requirements, ensuring the consumer can identify that the helmet has been certified according to safety standards.
How to Identify a Safe Helmet
Although a helmet may display the DOT or ECE label, motorcyclists must know how to identify if a helmet truly offers adequate protection. Below are key aspects to identify a safe helmet:
- Approval Label: The helmet should display the DOT or ECE 22.05 approval label on the back. This label indicates that the helmet has passed the required safety tests.
- Inner Lining: A safe helmet should have an inner lining of about 2.5 cm in thickness, made of polystyrene (approximately the width of a thumb from the knuckle to the tip). This material is crucial for absorbing impact in the event of an accident.
- Straps and Rivets: The straps should be durable, and the rivets should be solid. This ensures the helmet remains in place and does not slip or come off during an impact.
- Helmet Weight: A safe helmet weighs around 1.5 kg. Lighter helmets may not provide the same level of protection, while heavier ones may be uncomfortable and not necessarily safer.
- Absence of Protrusions: The helmet should not have protrusions of more than 0.5 cm. Helmets with ridges, horns, or fins are not safe, as these features can cause additional injuries in an accident.
- Replacement After Impact: Any helmet that has suffered an impact should be replaced, as they offer little or no protection after a crash. Even if the helmet does not show visible damage, its ability to protect may be compromised.
- Helmet Expiration: Helmets should be replaced after three to five years of use, regardless of whether they have suffered an impact. An extremely hard polystyrene liner indicates that the helmet has expired and will no longer provide the same level of protection.
While a certified helmet can make the difference between life and death in a road accident, a non-certified helmet provides a false sense of security and may be ineffective at the most critical moment.
Certified helmets have undergone rigorous safety tests to ensure their ability to protect motorcyclists in high-risk situations. It is crucial that motorcyclists not only choose helmets with a recognized certification but also verify the key safety aspects mentioned above to ensure that the helmet truly provides the necessary protection.
