Rider saves lives by acting on hunch
What can be done to stop the sale of illegal, unsafe helmets? Quite alot, it turns out. And consumers have an important part to play.
This article is all about the widely reported conviction of a UK based retailer for selling unsafe helmets.
“Because of the job I do, I helped secure that conviction ” says Ross, Helmet Test Manager at TRL.
TRL tests all manner of protective headgear, as well as producing the star ratings for the SHARP scheme. TRL also inspects and tests motorcycle helmets investigated by the UK’s Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) when they are suspected to be sub-standard, counterfeit, or otherwise illegal.
In this case, a motorcycle rider purchased a helmet from an online shop and reported his concerns to DVSA.
“When a selection of helmets from this shop arrived at TRL, I could immediately see indications to suggest they were not genuine” says Ross. “They were crudely assembled, and way too flexible in my hands. Some had stickers to suggest compliance with ECE regulations, but no additional labels, stamps or anything to indicate who made them, where they were tested, or when they were manufactured.
“We test hundreds of helmets in our lab, seeing all kinds of different models – these helmets shocked me cold. On the first drop test they shattered, sending shards of plastic flying. We have protective screens around the test rigs, which were absolutely necessary on this occasion.
“Apart from keeping the rain off your head, these helmets were of no more use than a beanie hat. Riders had bought these helmets thinking they were wearing a piece of equipment that would save their life. It’s appalling to me that people make these helmets, and criminal that people sell them, knowing they are unfit for use. It’s like selling an empty fire extinguisher, in my opinion.”
Ross is passionate about motorcycle helmets. “I work in the TRL test lab because a proper helmet saved my life. I broke a lot of bones following a nasty motorcycle accident, but my head wasn’t hurt. Lying in bed recovering, I started to read up about how helmets are made and how they protect your head in a crash. In time, and with a lot of perseverance, I joined TRL to lead the product testing facilities.
The retailer may still receive a custodial sentence – prison time – his business has closed, his customers have been contacted to warn them of the dangers of wearing the helmets they purchased from him, and hundreds of potentially life threatening products have been removed from the UK market.
“Other riders may not be so lucky. Legitimate helmets have ECE markings and labels for a reason; they tell the buyer what they are getting and where it came from. A SHARP rating is an additional layer of information about the safety performance of a helmet. ECE 22.06 is the minimum safety requirement for helmets sold in Great Britain. A helmet with a SHARP star rating is an indicator of superior safety quality.
“These dangerous helmets often have fancy paint jobs. It’s cheap to add artistry, but expensive to make a helmet that will actually save your life in a crash. Please look carefully at these helmets and consider the risks. If you are unsure that the helmet is genuine, walk away.
“I have great job satisfaction testing all the helmets for SHARP and providing DVSA with the evidence to prosecute rogue traders. But on behalf of all riders, my thanks go the person who took the trouble to contact DVSA”.
If you spot a helmet for sale that you believe is a fake or illegal, please get in touch with DVSA or to Trading Standards via your local council website. Fake and illegal helmets are dangerous because they offer no guarantee of the necessary protection for your head required in the event of a collision, and the consequences could be catastrophic.
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Read the story of the prosecution by DVSA here:
Company selling dangerous motorcycle helmets handed large fines – GOV.UK
Report a suspicious helmet trader here (doesn’t have to be a motorbike accessory shop, it could be a market trader, a garage, a sports shop, stall at a fair):
Report someone making or selling unsafe or illegal vehicles or parts – GOV.UK
