thedrifter
10-04-06, 09:45 AM
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Oct. 3, 2006) -- One issue becoming a big problem aboard Camp Lejeune is the ignorance of some motorcyclists trying to duck under the safety radar by wearing a helmet that is not Department of Transportation certified.
“This problem is rampant, particularly among the non-sport bike crowd,” said Master Sgt. Mark A. Doyle, company first sergeant for Military Police Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group. “The sport bike riders typically do a better job of wearing the appropriate helmet. I guess those who opt to wear the non-approved helmet are trying to uphold an image.”
To help protect the lives of motorcycle riders, the U.S. Department of Transportation requires all motorcycle helmets sold in the United States meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s Web site.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 defines the minimum level of performance helmets are required to meet in order to protect the head and brain in the event of a crash.
This problem is not isolated to the enlisted community either; officers are violating this regulation as well.
“I see it often and they are being worn everywhere, on and off base,” Doyle continued. “They have even been brash enough to wear them on base motorcycle club sponsored rides.”
Whether Marines are unknowingly buying the wrong brand or purposely disobeying Marine Corps and base regulations, there are several noticable distinctions between the two types of helmets.
All DOT approved helmets have a thick, inner shell which requires them to be much larger than novelty helmets. Also, certified helmets will have written documentation inside the lining that states its authenticity.
The presence of a DOT sticker alone does not mean the helmet is legal, said Doyle.
Novelty helmets provide very little protection and only increase the chance of sustaining a head injury in the event of a motorcycle crash, he continued.
Although the regulations do not seem to stick in riders’ heads, the DOT continues to push the rules and regulations and the consequences of ignoring them.
“Each year, DOT conducts compliance testing of a variety of motorcycle helmets to determine whether helmets being sold in the United States meet the federal safety standard,” according to the site. “Because helmets add such a critical margin of safety for motorcycle riders, many states now have laws requiring use of helmets that meet FMVSS 218 requirements.”
In some states, the wearing of helmets that do not meet the regulation is a violation of state law. Most of these helmets are sold as novelty items and circumvent the order’s requirements.
In some cases, some motorcyclists purchase these helmets in the mistaken belief that they offer protection; however, many people who wear these novelty helmets know that they are unsafe, but wear them anyway, the site continued.
In an attempt to compromise with riders and their requests, helmet companies have begun manufacturing DOT approved helmets that look and feel more like novelties.
“There have been some recent advances in the materials used in helmet construction, which DOT has just approved for use,” said Doyle. “Skid Lids has newly improved DOT helmets for 2007, which have a slimmer profile but still offer the same protection as the older models.”
All military riders, whether cruising on or off base, day or night, off road or on the Interstate, must follow to all Marine Corps and base rules and regulations – not only to keep them out of trouble, but to ultimately save their lives.
“I’m a motorcycle rider too,” Doyle concluded. “But I am a Marine first, and regulations are regulations. They must be adhered to at all times.”
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200610319257/$file/helmets%20-%20illustration%20LR.jpg
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Oct. 3, 2006) - This is a non-DOT approved, novelty helmet that was confiscated from a Marine riding and wearing it on base. Notice the flexibility of the shell.
Ellie
“This problem is rampant, particularly among the non-sport bike crowd,” said Master Sgt. Mark A. Doyle, company first sergeant for Military Police Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group. “The sport bike riders typically do a better job of wearing the appropriate helmet. I guess those who opt to wear the non-approved helmet are trying to uphold an image.”
To help protect the lives of motorcycle riders, the U.S. Department of Transportation requires all motorcycle helmets sold in the United States meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s Web site.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 defines the minimum level of performance helmets are required to meet in order to protect the head and brain in the event of a crash.
This problem is not isolated to the enlisted community either; officers are violating this regulation as well.
“I see it often and they are being worn everywhere, on and off base,” Doyle continued. “They have even been brash enough to wear them on base motorcycle club sponsored rides.”
Whether Marines are unknowingly buying the wrong brand or purposely disobeying Marine Corps and base regulations, there are several noticable distinctions between the two types of helmets.
All DOT approved helmets have a thick, inner shell which requires them to be much larger than novelty helmets. Also, certified helmets will have written documentation inside the lining that states its authenticity.
The presence of a DOT sticker alone does not mean the helmet is legal, said Doyle.
Novelty helmets provide very little protection and only increase the chance of sustaining a head injury in the event of a motorcycle crash, he continued.
Although the regulations do not seem to stick in riders’ heads, the DOT continues to push the rules and regulations and the consequences of ignoring them.
“Each year, DOT conducts compliance testing of a variety of motorcycle helmets to determine whether helmets being sold in the United States meet the federal safety standard,” according to the site. “Because helmets add such a critical margin of safety for motorcycle riders, many states now have laws requiring use of helmets that meet FMVSS 218 requirements.”
In some states, the wearing of helmets that do not meet the regulation is a violation of state law. Most of these helmets are sold as novelty items and circumvent the order’s requirements.
In some cases, some motorcyclists purchase these helmets in the mistaken belief that they offer protection; however, many people who wear these novelty helmets know that they are unsafe, but wear them anyway, the site continued.
In an attempt to compromise with riders and their requests, helmet companies have begun manufacturing DOT approved helmets that look and feel more like novelties.
“There have been some recent advances in the materials used in helmet construction, which DOT has just approved for use,” said Doyle. “Skid Lids has newly improved DOT helmets for 2007, which have a slimmer profile but still offer the same protection as the older models.”
All military riders, whether cruising on or off base, day or night, off road or on the Interstate, must follow to all Marine Corps and base rules and regulations – not only to keep them out of trouble, but to ultimately save their lives.
“I’m a motorcycle rider too,” Doyle concluded. “But I am a Marine first, and regulations are regulations. They must be adhered to at all times.”
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200610319257/$file/helmets%20-%20illustration%20LR.jpg
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Oct. 3, 2006) - This is a non-DOT approved, novelty helmet that was confiscated from a Marine riding and wearing it on base. Notice the flexibility of the shell.
Ellie