Well now according the MRF (Motorcycle Riders Foundation) our friends at The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Decided that even though "novelty helmets" are against the law in helmet states. And even though they make no pretension to meet DOT standards and even though most riders can take one look at them and know that about the only thing they are good for is whatever fancy paint job they may have on them or maybe one or two of them cool chrome spikes sticking up in the air. Even though everybody and their brother knows that in an accident they ain't worth a damn (as some would argue the same in relation to helmets that do meet DOT specifications). NHTSA decides to spend our money on a study to see which is more effective, a couple hundred buck Snell or a $20.00 piece of garbage.Now they haven't released the report yet but I'm thinking you and I already know this is a no brainer. But then NHTSA is notorious for having no brains so what can we expect. I mean like I'm picturing in my head like 8 or 10 government researchers standing around, in one hand a top of the line Snell, in the other hand a piece of crap. Discussing the meetings they will have to have, the tests they will have to run, the methodology they will have to use, the variables they will have to include, should they or should they not extrapolate from any data collected (oh hell yes they will, they do it all the time with Vehicle Miles Traveled) should they use a crash test dummy or preferably some real politicians head.
The irony of this whole gig though, is that these are the folk that are making decisions re: our safety. Now I know we live in Florida and for the moment helmets are a personal issue so this study really doesn't impact on us. OR does it, it's our tax dollars being used foolishly by foolish people who will enact or propose foolish laws. Sounds pretty novel to me..... ride free....rc
