State Law Requiring Motorcyclists to Wear DOT Helmets

Some states do not have a motorcycle helmet law. Some actually require riders to specifically have a "D.O.T. approved" motorcycle helmet. Texas is one of the states that does not require a DOT helmet as long as you meet certain criteria that most legitimate motorcyclists already have.

The question I propose is: Why do American law enforcement agencies enforce a D.O.T. helmet law if the D.O.T. helmets are not even made in America? I did some research at local HD dealerships. I knew this already but just for good measure I looked at the interior tag on every DOT helmet model on the shelves. All the origin tags read "Made in China" or "Made in India". That's because most of the DOT helmets, regardless of brand name are made from the same large production plants in China and India. Thats why most look very similar with only a few differences such as air vents, types of buckles, and graphics. They are all basically the same plastic shell with a thick styrofoam filler between the outer shell and the interior lining. It's the same across the board as far as DOT helmets go whether your looking at full face, half shell, or three quarter shells. Okay. we're talking about something that is supposed to protect your head if it happens to make contact with the pavement or worse, another vehicle. It doesn't take an engineering degree to know that the plastic shell on these major brand name D.O.T. helmets will shatter if it hits something hard enough. When it does shatter, theres nothing left to protect your head accept about 2 inches of styrofoam. Lets face it. Beer coolers are made out of styrofoam. Some DOT helmet companies even have a fancy word for the styrofoam inside their helmets but it's still styrofoam.

I know it isn't the law enforcement agencies themselves who are responsible for imposing the D.O.T. helmet laws. It's one of those don't shoot the messenger type scenarios. It would be the law makers of each individual state. It certainly isn't a federal law. Some insurance companies have even jumped on the DOT bandwagon out of pure ignorance.

Lobbyists for these big manufacturers are present every time a legislative update is due. They need to make sure their country's DOT helmet export business is secure for at least the next couple of years. What does it all boil down to? Politicians getting paid. Foreign countries capturing the majority of the American motorcycle helmet market. It's disturbing to uncover this little known secret especially when the American economy is in shambles. There are plenty of Americans who would be grateful to have a job making American motorcycle helmets.

Whats the solution? Simple, stop buying motorcycle helmets if you know it's not made in the U.S.A. Sure, some people live in a state where "The troopers are bad" or "cops are really cracking down on bikers about DOT helmets". There comes a time where you, as a free American, have to make a choice. Are you free or not? Where will you draw the line? As it stands, some people are letting law enforcement tell them what to wear. You can debate that all you want but that's what it comes down to. I've heard the excuse "I can't afford a ticket". To that I reply, but you can afford a 25 thousand dollar Harley Davidson? More importantly, by wearing a D.O.T. approved helmet, you are wearing a piece of plastic or polycarbonate on your head with a styrofoam buffer. How wise is that? Is not getting that helmet citation really worth jeopardizing your safety?

There is a company that refuses to be involved with the DOT political garbage. They don't seek any approval rating nor will they place the decal of any other agency on the back of their helmets. Skull Crush carbon fiber helmets are made in the U.S.A. Virtually every piece including the labor is sourced from within the United States. There are two main ingredients in the Skull Crush helmet shell. Carbon Fiber and Kevlar. The helmets are low profile, lightweight, and strong enough to hold up a truck. If you want more information, Google search: carbon fiber helmets.