Smart Gear

Did you know brain injuries account for more than 60 percent of motorcycle deaths?  Wearing a Department Of Transportation (DOT) - approved helmet can significantly reduce the risk of brain injury… and even save your life.

New Jersey has a mandatory helmet law that requires motorcyclists to wear a protective helmet while riding. It’s a rider’s best defense against an injury or worse… a fatality.

Did you know?

• All motorcycle helmets must include a Department Of Transportation (DOT) sticker to be street legal. The US Department of Transportation issues the official U.S. regulation, or "law" for what motorcycle helmets.  A motorcycle helmet manufacturer has to submit a helmet model to go through designated procedures in a certified testing lab in order to meet DOT standards and earn the right to place the DOT sticker on the back of the helmet. Helmets that do not meet the minimal DOT certification standards may not be sold as "motorcycle helmets” – and therefore are not legal for street use.
• SNELL certified helmets offer additional quality standards based on performance characteristics. The Snell Memorial Foundation is an additional certification source that provides testing standards.  "Snell" certification indicates a different standard than the DOT.  The Snell standards don't replace the DOT standards. A helmet does not have to meet the SNELL standard to be street legal, but if a helmet is both DOT and SNELL approved, it is designed to meet the highest standards of protection.
• A helmet should fit snugly! It should not move more than one inch in any direction. If the helmet straps block your vision, even slightly, find a different helmet. Helmets should be worn flat on top of your head.

What are the different types of motorcycle helmets?

	Full-face helmets cover the entire head and most of the face. A clear acrylic visor slides over the view port to block out wind, rain and dust and to ease eye fatigue. These helmets are considered the safest in terms of protection, as they cover the widest area of the head and face.
	Three quarter shell helmets are similar to full-face helmets, except they do not cover the face. The shell extends from the brow over the cranium to the base of the neck and forward over the ears. These helmets afford much of the same protection as full-face helmets.
	Half shell helmets cover only the top half of the head. Though they weigh the least, half shell helmets don’t cover the ears, offer the least wind resistance and offer the least protection.

Helmets reduce the risk of death by 30 percent. Learn how and why helmets work… and how to choose the right one for you!