Three things you need to know about helmet technology
Car safety technology has come a long way in the past 50 years. In this crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to celebrate its 50th anniversary, the occupants of the newer vehicle fared much better than those in the vintage Chevy (click to enlarge).
Safety advocates often compare the current state of helmet technology to that of cars from 40 years ago. In those days, cars lacked anti-lock brakes, stability control, airbags, and numerous other features that have helped to greatly reduce the risk of injury to passengers in modern cars. Check out this video to see what we mean.
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPF4fBGNK0U
What’s important to remember is that crisis precipitates change. In 1973, OPEC proclaimed an oil embargo, which sparked a crisis that drastically altered the auto industry. For instance, a mandatory national speed limit was created, rear wheel drive was phased out in favor of lighter front wheel drive designs, and many manufacturers began offering cars with smaller more fuel efficient engines.
Flash forward to today, and the helmet industry is undergoing a significant realignment due to a heightened awareness of brain trauma injuries brought upon largely by the discovery of CTE in football players (watch the video on the next page to learn more). For many years it was just good enough to pass the standard, a standard which was developed by dropping dead bodies down an elevator shaft to determine at what point the skull would fracture.
Since that time, however, we’ve learned that impacts to your head have further reaching consequences. Today, helmet manufacturers are racing to develop new products that will not only prevent your skull from cracking, but will also help reduce the risk of concussions and other injuries from rotational or sub-concussive impacts.
Continue to page 2 for more on helmet safety technology »
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