| Motor scooter helmets save lives. But, when buying a | | | | Department of Transportation standard. |
| helmet you must choose wisely. The following are | | | | You need to check weight, thickness, chinstraps, as |
| certain Items, that the Department of Transportation | | | | well as the DOT and manufacturer labels to make |
| states should be checked out for when buying a | | | | sure your helmet meets federal safety standards. |
| motorcycle and motor scooter helmets. | | | | Also, certain style of helmets are generally considered |
| Helmets Inner Lining | | | | safe. For example, the full face style of helmets is |
| A Helmet should have an inner liner about one-inch | | | | generally considered safe. |
| thick that consists of of polystyrene foam. The inner | | | | Stickers |
| liner should not be visible. However, its thickness should | | | | Helmets meeting federal requirements must have a |
| be felt. Unsafe helmets contain usually contain only | | | | sticker, on the outside of the helmet. The sticker must |
| soft foam padding or bare plastic shell with little or no | | | | be labeled "DOT". The "DOT" sticker certifies that the |
| padding. | | | | helmet meets or exceeds federal regulations. Some |
| Chin Straps | | | | unsafe helmet sellers may provide DOT sticker |
| The chin straps, on a motor scooter helmet, should be | | | | separately. So, buyer be aware. |
| sturdy and solid rivets should be used. | | | | Private Safety Standards |
| Helmet Weight | | | | Private, non-profit organizations such as SNELL or the |
| Unsafe helmets generally weigh a pound or less. Safe | | | | American National Standards Institute (ANSI) have |
| motor scooter helmets generally weigh around three | | | | safety stickers. So, it is a good indicator that the |
| pounds. | | | | helmet, with a ANSI sticker will meet the Federal |
| Helmet Design | | | | safety standard. |
| Any item, on a helmet should not extend further than 2 | | | | Manufacturers Labeling |
| tenths of an inch from the surface of a helmet. For | | | | Manufacturers are required, to place a label on or |
| example, a spike or deer horns, on a motor scooter | | | | inside a helmet that states the manufacturer's name, |
| helmet, are not safe. German army style helmets or | | | | model, size, month and manufacture year, materials, |
| skullcaps are example of a helmet not meeting the | | | | and owner's information. A helmet not meeting federal |
| proper standards. Generally, unsafe helmets are | | | | safety standard usually will not have such labeling. |
| smaller and thinner than helmets that meeting the | | | | |