CONSUMER ADVISORY: 5X5 Brand Motorcycle Helmets Fail to Meet Federal Head Protection Requirements |
|---|
Topics: 5X5
|
NHTSA
June 14, 2012
For Immediate Release
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Contact: Karen Aldana, 202-366-9550
WASHINGTON – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today urged motorcyclists not to wear the 5X5 brand, SA-08 model motorcycle helmet because it fails to meet the head protection requirements of the federal safety standard for helmets. As many as 14,000 5X5/SA-08 helmets were imported and sold by Tank Sports, Inc., of California, which declared bankruptcy without completing a recall requested by NHTSA.
While NHTSA believes that none of the 5X5/SA-08 helmets are currently being offered for sale in the U.S., there may be some motorcyclists who are continuing to use them. Under federal testing, the helmets failed to meet the penetration protection requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218. Both the outer shell and the inner liner in three out of four helmets were penetrated in safety tests conducted by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received no consumer complaints regarding the 5X5/SA-08 model and the agency is not aware of any deaths or injuries involving the helmets. However NHTSA advises motorcyclists to discard these helmets immediately and not to use them while riding.
NHTSA reminds riders to always wear a Department of Transportation-compliant helmet and other protective gear. Helmets in particular are highly effective in reducing fatalities and injuries -- saving the lives of more than 1,500 motorcyclists in 2010 alone.
Consumers can view the results of NHTSA's compliance tests of these helmets here.