Motorcycle Half Helmets and the Law
Motorcycle half helmets are just one type of several helmets available to choose from. When deciding on the best helmet for your riding needs, you might want to begin by checking with your local laws. Some states don’t have any motorcycle helmet laws at all, while other states might require that you wear a full head helmet.
Motorcycle half helmets are also referred to as shorties. Police, who ride motorcycles, due to the fact that they allow for clear vision, often wears these helmets. Chosen because they are light and airy, many people prefer motorcycle half helmets as opposed to full helmets. However, it is important to understand that half helmets do not provide as great an amount of protection as full helmets do. Many people recommend wearing motorcycle half helmets when you are riding short distances and at slow seeds. For those who want limited protection, yet feel that they aren’t comfortable riding without a helmet, motorcycle half helmets are a good choice.
To ensure that you have limited protection, rather than no protection, when choosing half helmets, you should look for those, which have been approved by the Department of Transportation. DOT stickers on the helmet evidence these. It is important to note that some novelty helmets are sold with fake stickers, making them appear approved when they aren’t. Genuine motorcycle half helmets will have a DOT label inside the helmet that is permanently attached. Always look in side and make sure that the motorcycle half helmet you are interested in has the proper approval from the Department of Transportation.
In addition to the Department of Transportation there are two other organizations that approve the safety of helmets. These are the Snell Memorial Foundation as well as the American National Standards Institute. When choosing helmets, look for these certifications, but understand that the Snell Memorial Foundation doesn’t approve motorcycle half helmets, so be sure to check for the DOT label