The way that motorcycle helmets are tested in the UK is set to change under new government guidelines. The new system aims, for the first time, to rate every motorcycle helmet on sale in the UK, giving consumers clear guidance as to the level of protection offered by any helmet.
At present, helmets simply pass or fail basic safety criteria, as determined by bureaucrats from Brussels. The current European ECE R22/05 safety test will remain as the legal minimum, but the new Department for Transport tests aims to grade helmets by their performance against demanding safety checks.
The ECE R22/05 test clearly identifies the point where the helmet will be tested for impact, allowing some manufacturers to provide additional reinforcement specifically to these areas in order to ensure a passable performance.
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