Triumphrat

datapimp · 08-24-2006, 12:30 PM

Has anyone in the US ever investigated if there is reciprocity between the ECE standard and US DOT?

Or if i'm goig to buy an ECE R22-05 helmet, should I just make my own DOT sticker to put on the back so I don't get pulled over?

jimmyj900 · 08-24-2006, 03:12 PM

Dunno about reciprocity, but you I've seen some very nicely printed DOT stickers for sale at Harley shows and swap meets.

Jim

TonyD · 08-25-2006, 08:14 AM

Seems it's a matter for the State. In the case of Washington, what is or isn't acceptable is a matter for the State Police to regulate. A challenge to regulation in 1998 elicited this judgment:

"Based upon the plain language of the regulation and on authority from other jurisdictions, we conclude the law is not unconstitutionally vague. The federal law, quoted in the Washington rule, requires that manufacturers certify that their helmets comply with the federal standards by applying a permanent label, reading "DOT," in a prominent manner on the outside of the helmet. Several other states have held that a motorcyclist can avoid violating similar laws by buying any motorcycle helmet which is labeled "DOT" by the manufacturer. . . . In the current regulation adopted by the Washington State Patrol, the labeling requirements from the federal law are included so that a purchaser will know to buy a helmet which is so labeled. . . . We hold that the regulation adopted by the State Patrol is sufficiently clear to put a person of normal intelligence on notice of what conduct is prohibited." Washington v. Spears (1998)

Couldn't find any more recent ruling, but it looks like if you don't have DOT sticker (placed there by the manufacturer ;-) ) you are likely to be in violation.

datapimp · 08-25-2006, 11:45 AM

Tony- yeah, they finally had to clariify that law after a bunch of riders succesfully got out of tickets because the law was so vague. Now its clear and DOT is mandatory.

I just wished US DOT would accept the ECE standard, as its more stringent, and is already accepted by AMA, CCS, FIM, Formula-USA and WERA , so its pretty clear thatthe standard ensures what they want, which is a tested safe helmet. . . just burocratic wanking ensures they are mutually exclusive.

:evil:

Mojoinco · 08-25-2006, 01:24 PM

Motorcyclist or Sportrider has on an online article that pretty well discusses the differences. Make up your own mind, then decide if you need to go get one o' deem 'dere DOT stickers. After all, it all comes down to whose head is it anyhow?!