An extra 14 motorcycle helmet ratings from the Department for Transport’s Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme (SHARP) have been published by Mike Penning, road safety minister, ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
The ratings take the total number of helmets rated by SHARP to 261. All helmets must meet minimum legal safety standards to be sold in the UK, but the SHARP scheme uses a wider range of tests to provide riders with more information on how much protection a helmet can provide in a crash.
The objective advice, which includes important guidance on how to select a good-fitting helmet, will help riders to choose the safest helmet suitable for them.
Mike Penning said: “Many of us will be getting our bikes out and – with luck – take advantage of some sunshine over the Bank Holiday weekend.
“I would urge anyone thinking about buying a new helmet ahead of the start of the summer season to check out the SHARP website before making their decision. A properly fitted helmet with a high SHARP rating will provide you with the best possible protection in the event of an accident so it’s well worth checking the advice on the site before you buy.”
The SHARP tests, which award ratings of between one and five stars, show that the safety performance of helmets can vary by as much as 70%.
Click here to read the full DfT report, or click here to visit the SHARP website.
Whilst I am not in disagreement with the principal of having a rating for the safety of helmets, it’s being argued by some that the tests themselves do not neccesarily refelect just how good they are.
The other bone of contention is that apart from viewing SHARP’s results on line there are no indications at point of sale – on the helmet or box or display which give useful information when being viewed by a prospective purchase.
It’s of little value to do such tests if it’s not being seen anywhere.
bob craven Lancs.
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