More than 20 new
motorcycle helmet safety ratings were published today by Road
Safety Minister Mike Penning ahead of the extended bank holiday.
Today's ratings take the total number of helmets rated
by SHARP - the Safety Helmet Assessment and Ratings Programme - to
247.
Mike Penning said:
"Many of us will be making the most of the extended bank
holiday period to take our bikes out and - hopefully - take
advantage of some good weather.
"I would urge anyone thinking about buying a new helmet
ahead of the weekend to check out the SHARP website before making
their decision. A well fitted helmet with a high SHARP rating will
provide you with the best possible protection in the event of an
accident so it's well worth checking the advice on the
site before you buy."
All helmets must meet minimum legal safety standards but the
SHARP scheme uses a wider range of tests to provide riders with
more information on how much protection a helmet can provide in a
crash. The objective advice, which includes important guidance on
how to select a good fitting helmet, will help riders to choose
the safest helmet suitable for them.
The SHARP tests - which award ratings of between one and five
stars - show that the safety performance of helmets can vary by as
much as 70%. With helmets across a wide price range scoring highly
all riders should be able to find a high performing helmet in a
size and style that fits them and at a price they want to pay.
The SHARP website was re-developed in response to feedback from
motorcyclists and the motorcycle industry and has increased in
popularity since it was re-launched last summer. The SHARP website
can be found at: www.direct.gov.uk/sharp.
Notes to Editors
1. The new SHARP ratings published today are:To view the table
that accompanies this release, please follow the link below;
https://nds.coi.gov.uk/imagelibrary/DownloadMedia.ashx?MediaDetailsID=36522.
Motorcyclists represent approximately 1% of UK traffic yet account
for 21% of our casualty base; 472 motorcyclists died on UK roads
in 2009. Accident studies show that approximately 80% of
motorcyclists killed and 70% of those with serious injuries
sustain head injuries. Press Enquiries: 020 7944 3066Out of Hours:
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