MOTORCYCLE SAFETY HELMETS: STANDARDS AND ENFORCEMENT

Motorcycle helmet standards in Australia have been developed by the SAA. Until the mid-1970's these standards were effectively based on the British Standards then current. In 1974 AS 1698-1974 was issued, based largely on the text of the US ANSI Z90.1-1971. The technology of helmets has improved rapidly, with extensive innovation, especially in the last 4 to 5 years. These design changes, and the changes in emphasis brought by the wide (and later legally mandated) use of helmets on the road, have led to new problems. The research basis for a significant part of the phrasing of most helmet standards (not only the Australian), is very limited, and the significant shortfall of continuing Australian field investigations and research on helmets and their performance has slowed the rate of adaption of the Australian Standard to the substantially new designs that have rapidly become commonplace in helmets designed around the world. A number of these issues have been publicly highlighted in early 1984, in particular in connection with the now-universal legal mandatory backing in Australia of AS 1698 at the point of sale and also for use on the road.

  • Corporate Authors:

    ARRB

    Melbourne, Victoria  Australia 
  • Authors:
    • WIGAN, M R
  • Publication Date: 1984-8

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; References;
  • Pagination: 11 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00450135
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  • Report/Paper Numbers: AIR 812-9, HS-038 383
  • Files: HSL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
  • Created Date: Nov 30 1985 12:00AM