ACU 5 Star Motorcycle Helmet Safety Standard
The Auto Cycle Union in the United Kingdom is a leader in motorcycle safety. The ACU actively strives for safety standards in safety gear in the U.K. and issues safety ratings for motorcycle helmets based on its own research and testing.
Currently, the gold rating is the highest ACU rating attainable and signifies the highest quality in safety gear on the market. Worldwide, many motorcycle racing governing agencies require all race participants to use only ACU gold rated helmets in competition.
Previously, an ACU gold sticker was a quality seal of approval worldwide that symbolized the highest quality, safety, and backing. However, recently the ACU has come under fire for allegedly selling gold sticker approval to companies whose helmets did not meet the BSI type A standards previously required for a gold rating.
ACU receives royalty payments from companies for the use of the gold stickers on merchandise, and this system in combination with the lowering of ACU gold standards to encompass previously inferior products has produced grumblings among motorcycle enthusiasts worldwide who previously viewed the gold rating as pure and trustworthy.
In response, the ACU has announced plans to institute a new rating system. The new testing system will be a combination of all SNELL and ECE 22.05 standards currently employed in the testing of motorcycle helmets. Only helmets that pass both sets of tests will be awarded a five-star rating. This star-based rating system will replace the gold sticker ratings previously used by the corporation.
The ACU is currently working with the UK's Department for Transport (DT) and Head Protection Evaluations (HPE) to develop the new rating system and as of yet, no one knows what the new ACU approval stickers will look like.
The new rating system is intended to restore the public’s faith in the ACU system and once again bring the ACU seal of approval up to a higher standard than the average safety gear.
Many U.S. motorcyclists are content with DOT or SNELL approved gear since it is estimated that nearly 90% of motorcycle crashes never exceed the DOT standards set forth by the U.S government. However, for those safety-conscious few who are not satisfied to risk that last 10%, the ACU five star rating is the only choice.
The ACU five star rating will once again grace the helmets of motorcycle racers and safety-conscious bikers worldwide by 2011. Look for the new approval stickers on the backs of helmets in the near future.
IF YOU, OR A LOVED ONE, HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN WASHINGTON - CALL TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION!
