FortNine
3 HN mentions · mentioned in 3 months, 2019–2025
9:12 · 1.1M views · Mar 8, 2018
FortNine argues that the US DOT motorcycle helmet standard (FMVSS 218) is badly outdated and weak. It compares it with Snell and ECE standards and points to where you can look up test reports for your own helmet.
HN commenters cite it as the background for calling the DOT standard a joke.
3 comments from Hacker News
There was chatter about this in one of the NYC subreddits over the weekend. Apparently ending the de minimus exemption is closing the grey market for e.g. sunscreen; places that used to sell Japanese sunscreens on American shelves no longer are. There's a frustratingly long list of goods that the US decided to put requirements on in previous generations, and then stopped maintaining. Sunscreen is one; other countries have invented sunscreens that feel better on your skin than the old styles, but aren't yet approved in the US. Motorcycle helmets are another. You may have seen the MIPS system - the yellow slipliner that's become popular in bicycle helmets. Scientists have realized that rotational impact leads to concussions and similar brain damage, but prior helmets only protected against naive impacts. Europe now requires helmets to protect against rotational damage. The US requires that manufacturers self-assert that they meet a very old standard that ignores rotational impact. They do not recognize Europe's new standard. Closing these de minimus exemptions is making it harder for discerning consumers to buy higher quality goods than are currently available in the US right now. Protectionists are going to see this as a win. More background on helmet standards: this video [LINK]
LOL there's barely any regulation of motorcycle safety in the US. ABS brakes aren't even mandated here. Pretty much the only regulation is the laughably bad DOT helmet standard. ( this video ). Every rider I know who wears a helmet, buys an ECE or Snell helmet instead.
DOT certification is the biggest joke in safety there is. To start, companies self-certify. To continue, watch this: this video