*More Motorcycle Helmet Trivia*

We've all heard of a helmet having a "Snell" rating. Did you ever wonder what or who "Snell" is? Well, if you have, you are in luck because we're about to learn more about this. If not, well just bear with me and maybe you'll be glad you did...or not.

There are different safety agencies that govern whether a helmet is safe enough to protect your head in the event of a crash. One of these agencies is Snell. Though unlike "DOT", Snell is not a government agency.

One safety agency that wasn't government aided was the Snell Memorial Foundation. It was formed in 1957 in memory of William "Pete" Snell, a sports car racer fatally injured in a racing accident. His friends and widow formed the Foundation for the purpose of providing independent motorcycle helmet testing, with no bias to the government or the manufacturer. Their testing focused on performance, rather than materials and design. They're now recognized and respected as the world leader in helmet testing. Every good helmet has a Snell Sticker in it.

To get a look a the 2010 Snell Motorcycle helmet standards go the link: http://www.smf.org/

When buying a new helmet, which you should do at least every five years, make sure it is either DOT approved or Snell approved.