Hi-Vis Helmets

[American]

Here is the state of California driver hand book about helmets:

[h=1]Motorcycle Handbook Preparing to Ride[/h][h=2]Wear the Right Gear[/h]When you ride, you have a far better chance of avoiding serious injury when you wearing protective gear and apparel.

By law, you must wear:

 

• A U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) compliant motorcycle safety helmet.
  

It is highly suggested you wear:

 

• Face and/or eye protection.
  
• Protective apparel, such as a leather or long sleeve jacket with reflective material, long heavy pants, over the ankle closed-toe boots, and full-fingered leather gloves.
  

More information on wearing the right gear and protective apparel is covered in the following pages.

[h=3]Helmet Use[/h]All riders and passengers are required per CVC §27803 to wear a U.S. DOT compliant motorcycle safety helmet when riding a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle. The motorcycle safety helmet must be certified by the manufacturer stating the helmet complies with U.S. DOT Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218. Head injuries account for the majority of serious and fatal motorcyclist injuries and, with few exceptions, head injuries are reduced by properly wearing a motorcycle safety helmet. Here are some facts to consider:

 

• Most collisions happen on short trips (less than five miles long).
  
• Most riders are riding slower than 30 mph when a collision occurs. At these speeds, a U.S. DOT compliant motorcycle safety helmet can cut both the number and the severity of head injuries by 50 percent.
  
• A non-U.S. DOT compliant helmet generally has very thin liners and protective padding. These types of helmets lack the strength, size, and ability to protect the rider during a collision.
  
• A non-U.S. DOT compliant helmet may look like U.S. DOT compliant helmets and may be sold alongside U.S. DOT compliant helmets. Make sure the U.S. DOT certification is on the helmet you wish to purchase. Non-U.S. DOT compliant helmets may be referred to as novelty helmets, rain bonnets, lids, loophole lids, beanies, or brain buckets.
  

A U. S. DOT compliant helmet may be decorated by the owner with stick-on items such as decals, Mohawks, Viking horns, etc. and will not affect the safety properties of the helmet. In a collision, regardless of speed, if you are wearing a U.S. DOT compliant motorcycle safety helmet you are three times more likely to survive a head injury than if you are not wearing a U.S. DOT compliant motorcycle safety helmet.

[h=3]Helmet Selection[/h]There are three types of helmets to consider: A half shell, three quarters or full-face helmet. The full-face helmet with a lock-in visor, offers the best coverage and protection to the back sides of your head.

Whichever style you choose, you get the most protection by making sure the helmet:

 

• Meets U.S. DOT safety standards and has the manufactuer-applied DOT lettering on the back of the helmet.
  NOTE: The DOT lettering should not be a stick-on label or easily removed.
  

 

• Fits snugly, all the way around.
  
• Has no obvious defects such as cracks, loose padding or frayed straps.
  
• Is securely fastened on your head when you ride. Otherwise, if you are involved in a collision, it may come off your head before it gets a chance to protect you.
  

Face, Eye, and Ear ProtectionA plastic shatter-resistant face shield can help protect your whole face in a collision. Face shields, when lowered and locked-in, offer protection from wind, dust, dirt, rain, insects, pebbles, and other debris.

Face shields, when lowered and locked-in, protect your face. Goggles only protect your eyes. A windshield is not a substitute for a face shield or goggles. Most windshields will not protect your eyes from wind, nor will eyeglasses or sunglasses. Glasses will not keep your eyes from watering, and they might blow off when you turn your head.

To be effective, eye or face shield protection must:

 

• Be free of scratches.
  
• Be resistant to punctures.
  
• Give a clear view to either side.
  
• Fasten securely, so it does not blow off or up.
  
• Permit air to pass through, to reduce fogging.
  
• Permit enough room for eyeglasses or sunglasses, if needed.
  

NOTE: Tinted eye protection or tinted face shields should not be worn at night or when little light is available.

To protect against the elements of nature, such as wind, which can cause hearing loss, you may want to use ear protection. The CVC §27400 states a person may not wear a headset covering, earplugs, or earphones in both ears, unless the protectors (earplugs or molds) are specifically designed to reduce harmful (injurious) noise levels. The headset coverings, earplugs, or earphones must not inhibit the wearer's ability to hear a siren or horn from an emergency vehicle or another motor vehicle.

[djh3]

Wow I thought Calif was one of them non helmet states. Funny thing when I looked at AMA site for the state it says helmet speakers OK but only on one side. So anybody with a sena, scala or the like is illeagle

[cami]

Look at SOLAS(safety of life at sea) certified reflective tape. Made for marine environment. A 1" wide and 12' long roll is about 13.00 on EBay.

 

Also look for reflective tape for semi trailers, a 2" wide and 12" long piece I have bought for 1 cent on EBay. 6" are white and 6" are red. Also available in rolls.

 

Mike