Snell approved helmets are those that meet the safety standards set by the Snell Memorial Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to helmet safety. These helmets undergo rigorous testing for impact resistance, retention, and other performance criteria to ensure they provide adequate protection in the event of an accident. The Snell certification indicates that the helmet has exceeded minimum safety requirements, making it a preferred choice for many motorsport enthusiasts and riders seeking enhanced safety.
SNELL is an addition safety rating for helmets. The SNELL Foundation certification is more stringent than DOT certification.
Helmets in the US are certified by the Snell Foundation, and the Foundation's standards are periodically upgraded. Responsible racing organizations therefore require competitors to use helmets with an appropriate Snell approval sticker inside them. People who use non-Snell-approved helmets are putting themselves at serious risk. As motorcycle stunt man Evel Kenevel famously put it "If you've got a ten-dollar head, go ahead and buy a ten-dollar helmet."
Surprise! as far as is known this is never done! On the other hand crash helmets are certainly tested by the American Standards Association"s famed Z-90 standard which is required for most motorcycle crash helmets- and also the Snell Foundation. Snell, for whom the foundation was named somewhat ironically was an automobile racing driver killed in an accident involving a defective helmet- he was not a Motorcyclist! Nonetheless the phrase Snell Approved honors his name and the safety standard. Z-90 and Snell approved are essentially congruent ( equal ratings) But, Bicycles themselves are not tested by any safety agency in the US!
all helmets are
In most states DOT helmets are required.
All helmets must be DOT approved and have the DOT sticker on them, in the US, when helmets are required.
Of course it is, the UK is part of Europe, so European approved helmets are legal in the UK.
Motorcycle helmets need to be either DOT or SNELL certified, if the helmet has that certification then you can use a scooter helmet on a motorcycle.
They wear fake helmets with no padding, and quick release plastic snaps. They look good for a T.V. show but are not DOT approved and provide absolutly no protection.
When it comes time to pick the right motorcycle dot helmets it is essential to be safe. With so many choices available it's difficult to know if all dot approved helmets offer the same level of protection.
Because society got tired of paying for the health care associated with avoidable head injuries on riders not wearing good enough helmets or no helmets at all.
Yes, mc riders in the entire state of Ca. are required to wear DOT approved helmets although enforcement of the DOT requirement is virtually non-existent. Many riders including myself use what are commonly known as "novelty" helmets.