SUBSTANDARD HELMETS – FACTS
Use of a substandard helmet seriously elevates your exposure to head injuries in case of a traffic crash. In this article, let’s join Protec in tracking down companies that sell substandard helmets and how traffic participants who use these helmets may be fined.
How to define a substandard helmet
First and foremost, let’s jot down some criteria to identify a substandard helmet:
Helmet appearance: Standard helmets must have regulatory CR stamp (QCVN 2:2008/BKHCN) and labels that fully present information of the material, size and place of origin. On the contrary, substandard helmets lack, or just have fake stamps, and their labels, if any, just deliver vague information without addresses of the place of origin. Substandard helmets are typically made of recycled plastic, unlike hi-end quality of ABS and polyvinyl carbonate (PVC) of good helmets. Recycled plastic is characterized by mediocre bearing capacity, weak skid resistance and virtually have no capability of protecting wearers’ heads.
Impact absorbent EPS liner: the EPS liner of substandard helmets is made of substandard and mediocre materials. Once pressed, the liner is soft and inelastic. Some helmets are even not equipped with the liner. In contrast, the EPS liner of good helmets is quite tough, smooth and highly adhesive, which proves efficient in absorbing physical impact.
Chin strap: substandard helmets just have cheap chin straps that are easily stretched and strained by full force. Their plastic cap is also brittle and fragile. The chin strap of quality helmets is spared that condition, and some other helmets even are even added with a rubber chin liner.
Style: good helmets have some basic forms: half faced or three quarter faced… Fake helmets look fashionable and flamboyant to draw attention from buyers.
Cheap price: substandard helmets are dirt cheap, for just several tens of thousands of dongs. A good helmet sometimes charges you up to millions.
Distribution network: quality helmets are sold in accredited showrooms. Fake helmets are typically sold at pavements or stands of unknown origin. Just a click at this link provides you will insightful tips to identify a quality helmet.
Does use of substandard helmets mean fine?
In 2014, in accordance with Decree 171/2013/ND-CP of the Government, traffic participants who put on substandard helmets were to be fined between VND100,000 and 200,000.
However, this decree was soon discarded because it was groundless and heavily pilloried in the press. Up to date, there is still no penalty for traffic participants who put on substandard helmets.
How are businesses of substandard helmets fined?
Pursuant to Decree 119/2017/ND-CP on the administrative fines in measurements of goods and commodities, businesses of substandard helmets are fined between VND30 and 40 million and have their certificate of helmet production deprived. The illegal profit collected will also be confiscated by the competent authorities. The decree came into effect in 2017 and is expected to alleviate the rampant popularity of substandard helmets.
Use of substandard helmets leaves their wearers trapped in numerous troubles, which directly impacts their lives and health. Hence, wearers should opt for quality helmets for the sake of safety as well as protection of their own lives.